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.
WSWC Fall 2020 (194th) Meetings (held via webinar)
WSWC Summer 2020 (193rd) Meetings
The Second Colorado River Basin Data and Modeling Roundtable: Webinar
#458 – Outlining Actions Federal Agencies Should Take to Expedite State General Stream Adjudications
Position #458 – October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, the western states use general stream adjudications to determine and document relative water rights within basins, including rights to waters claimed by the United States under either state or federal law; and WHEREAS, general...
#457 – Supporting the Dividing the Waters Program for Judges
Position #457 - October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, the Dividing the Waters Program of the National Judicial College has served western judges overseeing complex water litigation for more than 20 years, providing information and training resources on water law and water...
#456 – Protecting Groundwater Quality
Position #456 – October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, ground water is a critically important natural resource, especially in the mostly arid West; and WHEREAS, ground water management – the protection of its quality and its orderly, rational allocation and withdrawal for...
Issue #2441
Issue #2441
Corps Nationwide Permit Rulemaking
On November 16, 2020, comments were due to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) regarding their Proposal to Reissue and Modify Nationwide Permits (NWPs). Western states commented both individually and through the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA). States that individually commented included Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
Testimony: Appropriations for NASA and NOAA
On May 8, 2020, the WSWC submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies regarding appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National...
New Website Design
We are glad to announce our new website design with enhanced features that support easier navigation for our visitors. Please be patient as we continue to update many of our pages. If you face any issues, please contact Adel Abdallah: adelabdallah@wswc.utah.gov
Western Water Perspectives
In this section, we will post reflective articles on water-related topics that summarize and review what has been done on a particular theme of interest.
WestFAST February Newsletter
Reclamation investing $15.4 million to help communities mitigate drought and climate change impacts in Western United States; Earth just had its 7th-warmest January on record; and more. Download it here: FEBRUARY 2021 WestFAST Newsletter.
WestFAST February Newsletter
Reclamation investing $15.4 million to help communities mitigate drought and climate change impacts in Western United States; Earth just had its 7th-warmest January on record; and more. Download it here: FEBRUARY 2021 WestFAST Newsletter.
Improving Sub-Seasonal to Seasonal (S2S) Precipitation Forecasting for Water Management (2020)
The Western States Water Council asks that the federal government provide resources for pilot projects to improve subseasonal to seasonal (S2S) precipitation forecasting to support water management in the western states, pursuant to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act.
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
Administrative Assistant
