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.
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 #517 – State Nutrient Reduction Strategies
Position #517 - State Nutrient Reduction Strategies WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes individual States as co-regulators, responsible for establishing comprehensive water quality standards and nutrient reduction strategies for waters within their borders;...
Position #516 – The Dividing the Waters Program for Judges
Position #516 – The Dividing the Waters Program for Judges WHEREAS, the Dividing the Waters Program of the National Judicial College has served western judges overseeing complex water litigation since 1993, providing information and training resources on water law and...
Position #515 – State Primacy over Groundwater
Position #515 – State Primacy over Groundwater WHEREAS, groundwater is a critically important natural resource that is vital to the economy and environment of the arid West; and WHEREAS, the Desert Land Act of 1877 and the United States Supreme Court in California...
Issue #2696
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2696 HIGHLIGHTS On April 3, the White House released the FY 2027 Discretionary Budget Request proposing a restructuring of wildland fire management under the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. The proposal...
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 hearing on water resources
On November 4, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a remote hearing on the following bills: (1) H.Res. 320 recognizing the critical importance of access to reliable, clean drinking water for Native Americans and Alaska Natives...
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Topical Resources
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WestDAAT Use Cases and Personas
Background The focus of the WaDE program is to provide a framework for states to share important water data with each other, with federal agencies, and with the public with an emphasis on enabling regional analysis. States make their water data available to the WaDE...
Issue #2698
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2698 HIGHLIGHTS On May 12, the Bureau of Land Management published a proposed rule revising grazing administration regulations to align with congressional amendments, GAO recommendations, court...
(2019, Post) WSWC/NASA Technology Transfer for Water Management in the Western United States
WSWC/NASA Technology Transfer for Water Management in the Western United States, 2019 (Link to Event) OVERVIEW: The Western States Water Council (WSWC) is sponsoring a workshop on technology transfer for water management in the western United States with the National...
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
