Brett Walton

About Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club's Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton

Federal Water Tap, November 11: USDA Survey Reveals Declines and Shifts in Farm Irrigation

November 11, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown USDA survey shows U.S. farms irrigated less land with less total water than five years ago – but used more groundwater. U.S. and Mexico sign Rio Grande water delivery agreement. EPA issues an emergency order for drinking water system failures by a California water company. Reclamation agrees to extend the deadline for Navajo […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, November 4: White House Science Advisers Approve Groundwater Report

November 4, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown White House science advisers approve a report to the president on national groundwater security. White House also hosts a meeting of business and government leaders on water security and climate resilience. EPA publishes annual reviews of the state revolving funds for water infrastructure. NOAA begins accepting applications for grants to remove in-stream barriers […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, October 28: EPA Used ‘Flawed Data’ to Allocate Lead Pipe Removal Funds, Watchdog Says

October 28, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA watchdog criticizes agency’s survey to allocate lead service line removal funds. CDC seeks approval to gather data to track outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis, a waterborne disease. Federal and state agencies begin an environmental assessment of a key electricity transmission project that would link the country’s eastern and western grids. Federal ag research agency […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, October 21: Supreme Court Hears Another Clean Water Act Case

October 21, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown NOAA releases winter outlook for U.S. weather, sees probable La Niña effects. GSA targets federal contractors for a voluntary climate risk survey. Army Corps holds a ceremony to inaugurate a flood-protection project to raise homes in southwest Louisiana. USGS researchers publish studies on produced water, pesticides in Alabama groundwater, and hurricane impacts on […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

2024 Election: State and Local Voters Consider Tax Increases for Water Protection

October 17, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Funds would provide for land and water conservation.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, October 15: Ten-Year Deadline for Most Lead Pipe Removal

October 15, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Biden administration revises federal rules for lead in drinking water, setting a national deadline. Meanwhile, an EPA deadline for water utilities to submit lead pipe inventories arrives this week. CDC and local officials in San Diego investigate health impacts from cross-border sewage in Tijuana River. EPA plans to survey large wastewater plants nationally […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, October 7: Report Highlights Water Sector Employment Problems

October 7, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal working group publishes report on water sector workforce challenges. CBO assesses benefits of federal flood adaptation spending. EPA expands PFAS reporting requirements and finalizes new guidelines for certain PFAS to protect aquatic life. Helene damages NOAA climate office in Asheville. Colorado River tribes want federal payments for not using water to which […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Giant Storms, Growing Stronger, Inundate an Unprepared Planet

October 3, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Climate change produces massive rains that are overwhelming the capacity to adapt.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, September 30: Court Orders EPA to Address Fluoride Risk in Drinking Water

September 30, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal judge rules that the EPA needs to reassess fluoride in drinking water. After another cyberattack against a small water system, federal cybersecurity agency warns utilities to be vigilant. White House approves major disaster declarations for Florida and North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. CDC and local partners use wastewater testing to track the […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, September 23: Construction Begins on Mississippi River Saltwater Barrier

September 23, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Army Corps begins building a temporary underwater barrier in the Mississippi River to slow the upstream movement of salt water. BLM publishes final environmental review of a Nevada mining project that could become the largest domestic source of lithium. EPA releases new water quality data tool and will host a webinar tutorial. GAO […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, September 16: Amid Higher Risks, CBO Considers How to Expand Disaster Insurance Coverage

September 16, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown CBO analyzes policies to increase disaster insurance coverage and maintain affordability. EPA finds permit violation at agribusiness giant’s carbon capture and sequestration project in Illinois. GAO warns of the potential for cost increases for a multibillion-dollar cleanup of mercury contamination at a Cold War-era nuclear weapons facility in Tennessee. FERC is evaluating a […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Salt Water Again Moves Upstream in Weakened Mississippi River, Endangering Drinking Water

September 10, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Army Corps builds a temporary barrier to block salt water encroaching on the nation’s largest river.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton