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.
2026 WSWC Spring (209th) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
ICWP/WSWC Water Workforce Development Workshop No. 2
Landsat Data for Water Resource Decision Making in Idaho
Position #507 – Outlining Actions Federal Agencies Should Take to Expedite State General Stream Adjudications
Position #507 - Outlining Actions Federal Agencies Should Take to Expedite State General Stream Adjudications WHEREAS, the western states use general stream adjudications to determine and document relative water rights within basins, including rights to waters claimed...
Position #506 – Asserting State Primacy on Protecting Ground Water Quality
Position #506 - Asserting State Primacy on Protecting Ground Water Quality WHEREAS, groundwater is a critically important natural resource, especially in the mostly arid West; and WHEREAS, groundwater management – the protection of its quality and its orderly,...
Position #505 – Supporting USDA Conservation Programs and Water Resources
Position #505 - Supporting USDA Conservation Programs and Water Resources WHEREAS, water is the lifeblood of the West and this is most apparent in the agricultural sector, which accounts for the predominant share of consumptive water use westwide; and WHEREAS,...
Issue #2689
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2689 HIGHLIGHTS On December 16-18, the 80th Colorado River Water Users Association meeting in Las Vegas brought together basin stakeholders to discuss the need for near-term agreements to manage the...
FY2025-2026 Appropriations for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
On February 20, WSWC signed on to a letter to EPA regarding the FY2025-2026 Appropriations for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. A similar letter was also sent to the House/Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. Coalition Letter to EPA about...
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 #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...
(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
