Western States Water Council
A Voice for Water in the West since 1965
What We Do
Our mission is to ensure that the West has an adequate, secure, and sustainable supply of water of suitable quality to meet its diverse economic and environmental needs now and in the future.
Western Water Policy Positions
Raise water as a critical public policy priority. Policy positions are vetted with the governors, adopted by the Council, and promoted on behalf of Western States.
Weekly Newsletter
Report and curate state and federal news on water-related issues, as well as other activities and events.
Federal Reserved Tribal and Non-Tribal Water Rights
Support authorization and funding of negotiated settlements between tribes, states, and federal agencies to resolved unquantified tribal and non-tribal water claims.
Water Infrastructure
Recognize and promote active asset management, including consistent funding to address aging infrastructure challenges, future water supply, and water and wastewater treatment needs.
Sharing of State-Level Water Data
Develop and grow the Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program that streamlines access to water rights and water use data, water quality and other water related databases.
Enhance State and Federal Relationships and Encourage Collaboration
Serve as a forum for Interstate and State/Federal dialogue and action on emerging and ongoing water issues with our Western States Federal Agency Support Team (WestFAST).
Water Quality-Quantity Nexus
Recognize and promote efforts to better manage and balance the interrelationships between the development and allocation of water resources, wastewater treatment, and water quality.
Water-Related Observing Systems and Data
Support the maintenance and expansion of critical observing systems and promote innovation related to the monitoring and reporting of water-related parameters.
Position #535 – Supports Water Research and Development Programs at the DOE National Laboratories
Position #535 - Supports Water Research and Development Programs at the DOE National Laboratories WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and WHEREAS,...
Position #534 – Hydraulic Fracturing
Position #534 - Hydraulic Fracturing WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and WHEREAS, the WSWC’s mission is to ensure that the West has an...
Position #533 – Strengthening the Resiliency of Our Nation to the Impacts of Extreme Weather Events
Position #533 - Strengthening the Resiliency of Our Nation to the Impacts of Extreme Weather Events WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and ...
Issue #2679/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2679 Issue #2679 Special Report HIGHLIGHTS On September 10, the House T&I Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment reviewed the Corps’ implementation of recent WRDAs. Members focused on...
State Letters to EPA Regarding §401 Certification Implementation
On July 7, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a public docket (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0272) on Implementation Challenges Associated with Clean Water Act (CWA) §401. The docket initiated a series of stakeholder listening sessions and...
House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Hearing
On April 30, 2025, Michelle Bushman, WSWC Deputy Director and General Counsel, provided testimony before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries hearing regarding Advancing Federal Water and Hydropower Development: A Stakeholder...
Western States Water Council Welcomes New Executive Director J.D. Strong
The Western States Water Council (WSWC) is pleased to announce the appointment of J.D. Strong as its new Executive Director, effective September 1, 2025, following the retirement of longtime Executive Director Tony Willardson. Willardson retired on August 31 after 46...
WSWC Celebrating Ten Years of Western Water Data Sharing
Ten years ago, the Western States Water Council launched the Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program. Since then, WaDE has made great strides in sharing western water data and has grown significantly and become a national data hub as part of the Internet of Water. Check...
Topical Resources
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Report on the Availability of Aggregated Water Use Data in Selected Western States
Download (coming soon) This report: (1) summarizes the availability of data for aggregated or summary water use data in the Colorado River Basin States that is available through WaDE; (2) identifies gaps within the currently available water data and improvements that...
Issue #2679/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2679 Issue #2679 Special Report HIGHLIGHTS On September 10, the House T&I Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment reviewed the Corps’ implementation of recent WRDAs. Members focused on...
Applicability of regional classification schemes and analytical tools to regional definitions of Waters of the United States (WOTUS)
Applicability of regional classification schemes and analytical tools to regional definitions of Waters of the United States (WOTUS)
The Western States Water Council is the preeminent water policy organization in the western U.S. representing as it does 18 western states. From influential positions on federal rules and legislation to support of Landsat missions intended to acquire important water use information, the Council serves it member states like no other entity. My 18-year membership with the Council is one of the most memorable experiences of my service as Wyoming State Engineer.
I find the Council to be a provocative forum to discuss how State water supply and water quality program should interact. Western perspectives highlight the unique and confounding aspects of managing water quality in ways that defy uniform application of the Clean Water Act. And there may be no greater champion of the importance of water data programs of the USGS and NRCS than the WSWC.
The Western States Water Council is recognized as a national leader in developing and influencing national and western water policy, while serving as the water arm for the Western Governors’ Association. The Council provides an excellent forum for states and federal agencies to discuss water issues of mutual interest. I know that my time on the Council certainly enhanced my ability as a leader on state water issues.
Contact Us
Western States Water Council Office
682 East Vine Street, Suite 7
Murray, UT 84107-5501
(801) 685-2555
(801) 685-2559 (fax)
jgroat@wswc.utah.gov
Julie Groat
Office Manager
