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 #511 – Water Infrastructure Funding
Position #511 - Water Infrastructure Funding WHEREAS, maintaining and delivering sufficient water supplies of suitable quality is key to the West’s economic prosperity, environmental needs, and our quality of life, both now and in the future; and WHEREAS, appropriate...
Position #510 – Weather Station Networks
Position #510 - Weather Station Networks WHEREAS, Western States experience great variability in precipitation, with serious impacts and consequences for water supply planning and management, drought and flood preparedness and response, water rights and water market...
Position #509 – Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations and Innovations
Position #509 - Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations and Innovations WHEREAS, Western States experience great variability in precipitation, with serious impacts and consequences for the operation of water projects, particularly aging water infrastructure, as well as...
Issue #2673
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2673 HIGHLIGHTS On August 4, Colorado’s full congressional delegation urged the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation to release $140M for 15 drought-response projects under the Upper...
WSWC Letter to House T&I and Senate EPW Related to the Corps Water Supply Mission
On August 14, the WSWC sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, expressing interest in Section 121 of H.R. 8812, to “include water supply as a primary...
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...
WSWC Letter to EPA Regarding §401 Certification Implementation Federalism Consultation
On September 7, 2025, WSWC sent a letter to EPA to engage in the federalism consultation triggered by the establishment of the public docket on Implementation Challenges Associated with Clean Water Act (CWA) §401. WSWC referenced the policies in Position #521,...
WestFAST Federal-State Collaboration: Report and Repository
This report is a primer on Federal/State positions on collaboration for use by those interacting in the issues of water resources in the West. You can download the report here: Review of Policies, Perspectives, and Expectations for Federal/State Collaboration in...
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
