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.
ICWP/WSWC Water Workforce Development Workshop No. 2
Landsat Data for Water Resource Decision Making in Idaho
WSWC Fall (208th) Meetings – San Pedro, California
Position #502 – Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and USGS Water Resources Research Act Program
Position #502 - Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and USGS Water Resources Research Act Program WHEREAS, in the West, water is a vital and scarce resource the availability of which has and continues to circumscribe growth, development, our economic...
Position #501 – Regarding the Reclamation Fund
Position #501 - Regarding the Reclamation Fund WHEREAS, in the West, water is indeed our “life blood,” a vital and scarce resource the availability of which has and continues to circumscribe growth, development and our economic well- being and environmental quality of...
Position #500 – Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs
Position #500 - Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs WHEREAS, federal agency data and research programs provide an important foundation for supporting water management decision-making by western federal, state, and local agencies and tribes; and...
Issue #2680
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2680 HIGHLIGHTS On September 23-26, 2025, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) held its 208th Meetings, hosted by the State of California in San Pedro, beginning with a groundwater workshop that...
WSWC Letter to House T&I Related to the Corps Water Supply Mission
On April 18, 2024, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) sent a letter to the House Leadership of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure expressing an interest in H.R. 7065. Including water supply and water conservation as part of the U.S. Army Corps of...
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...
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Topical Resources
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WaDE 1.0 Legacy Website and Info
https://westernstateswater.org/wade-history/ https://westernstateswater.org/wade-history/map-app/ https://westernstateswater.org/wade-1-0-data-access/ https://westernstateswater.org/wade-1-0-data/ https://westernstateswater.org/how-wade-1-0-worked/...
Issue #2681
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2681 HIGHLIGHTS On October 1, the federal government shut down after the Senate rejected a seven-week stopgap bill, halting non-essential services while allowing agencies to continue critical life,...
(2018, Post) WSWC/CDWR Workshop on Improving S2S Precipitation Forecasting and Pilot Projects
Improving Sub-seasonal to Seasonal (S2S) Precipitation Forecasting to Support Water Management Decision-making (Link to Event) The Western States Water Council and the California Department of Water Resources cosponsored workshop in a recurring series continuing a...
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
