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.
2024 WSWC Spring (203rd) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
New Mexico Integrated Water Financing Plan: Introductory Webinar
WSWC 2023 Fall Meetings
Position #486 – Related to EPA Exercise of Authority Under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act
Position #486: Related to EPA Exercise of Authority Under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council’s (WSWC) mission is “to ensure that the West has an adequate, secure, and sustainable supply of water of suitable quality to meet...
Position #485 – Supports Water Research and Development Programs at the Department of Energy National Laboratories
Position #485 - Supports Water Research and Development Programs at the Department of Energy National Laboratories WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (the Council) has long recognized that water and energy resources are interdependent – using one requires the...
#484 – Hydraulic Fracturing
#484 - Hydraulic Fracturing WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing is a process that injects sand, water, and other fluids, including various chemical compounds, underground to aid in the extraction of oil and natural gas; and WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing has been used for...
Issue #2605/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click the links below: Issue #2605 Issue #2605 Special Report
S2S FY2023 Funding Support Letters
On April 25, the WSWC joined a letter of support to the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, and Science, that was signed by numerous water management agencies and organizations including: the Association of California Water Agencies;...
Testimony: EPA Appropriations
On June 24, the WSWC submitted written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. The testimony supports FY2022 funding requests related to water and wastewater infrastructure, including Clean Water...
27th Annual Wallace Stegner Center Symposium
27th Annual Wallace Stegner Center Symposium | Annual Water & Tribes Initiative Basinwide Gathering The Colorado River Compact: Navigating the Future March 17-18, 2022 University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law | Salt Lake City, Utah The Colorado River Compact...
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Topical Resources
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WaDE 5-Year Work Plan: 2022-2026 (Draft)
Background The Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program began in 2011 under a subcontract with the Western Governors Association (WGA), as a cooperative effort between WSWC and the Sandia National Labs, with funding from the Department of Energy made available under the...
Issue #2607
To view and download the newsletter, click the link below: Issue #2607
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
