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.
2025 WSWC Spring (206th) Meetings in Lincoln, Nebraska
2024 WSWC Fall (205th) Meetings in Lawrence, Kansas
WestDAAT Applications: Using Western State Water Rights Data to Facilitate Community Environmental Collaboration
Position #526 – Regarding Abandoned Hardrock Mine Cleanup
Position #526 – Regarding Abandoned Hardrock Mine Cleanup WHEREAS, the General Mining Act of 1872 allowed individuals to obtain exclusive rights to valuable hardrock mineral deposits on land belonging to the United States without requirements to reclaim the land until...
Position #525 – Regarding States’ Water Rights and Natural Flows
Position #525 – Regarding States’ Water Rights and Natural Flows WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council strongly supports preservation of the States’ inherent right to develop, use, control, and distribute water; and WHEREAS, States have exclusive authority over...
Position #524 – Regarding Bureau of Reclamation Drought Response Program
Position #524 – Regarding Bureau of Reclamation Drought Response Program WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council is a policy advisory body representing eighteen states and since its inception the Council has been actively involved in national drought preparedness,...
Issue 2656
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2656 Newsletter Highlights As of March 25, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the termination of 96 federal leases affecting water-related agencies in the West. This article...
WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act (H.R. 635)
On March 5, the WSWC sent a letter to the leadership of the House Committee on Natural Resources in support of Rep. Stansbury’s WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act (H.R. 635). The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior, as needed, to reduce or waive...
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure – Water and Power Subcommittee Hearing
On February 11, 2025, the Western States Water Council submitted written testimony to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Water and Power Subcommittee on the Clean Water Act (CWA) Permitting and Project Delivery. Feb 2025 WSWC Testimony to the...
State of Oregon Seeking Field Services Division Administrator
The Oregon Water Resources Department is seeking a Field Services Administrator! The Field Services Administrator provides leadership and guidance to the Division through the field management group and directly to division staff. If you are a compassionate and...
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 2656
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2656 Newsletter Highlights As of March 25, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the termination of 96 federal leases affecting water-related agencies in the West. This article...
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
