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 #496 – Regarding the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Position #496 - Regarding the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and State and Tribal Assistance Grants WHEREAS, the economies of every state and the Nation as a whole depend upon sufficient water supplies of suitable quality, which require adequate water...
Position #495 – Regarding the National Levee Safety Act of 2007 and Levee and Canal Structures
Position #495 - Regarding the National Levee Safety Act of 2007 and Levee and Canal Structures WHEREAS, floods are among the Nation’s most frequent and costliest hazards – every year the costs to taxpayers are in the billions and continue to increase; and WHEREAS, all...
Position #494 – Regarding the Transfer of Federal Water and Power Projects and Related Facilities
Position #494 - Regarding the Transfer of Federal Water and Power Projects and Related Facilities WHEREAS, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (P.L. 116-9) was signed into law on March 12, 2019, and Title VIII provides the Bureau of...
Issue #2666
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2666 HIGHLIGHTS On June 18, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed to reissue 56 of 57 existing Nationwide Permits and introduce a new one for fish passage improvement, while also revising several...
Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act (S. 2781)
On January 10, 2024, the Western States Water Council sent a letter of support and recommendations for the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act (S. 2781) to Senate Leadership, and to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. WSWC January...
Testimony: Department of Interior 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 federal responsibilities for Indian water rights...
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Topical Resources
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What Does Open Data Mean?
Open Knowledge International defines “Open Data” as follows: Data is open if it can be freely accessed, used, modified and shared by anyone for any purpose – subject only, at most, to requirements to provide attribution and/or share-alike. Open data requires that the...
Issue #2669/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2669 Issue #2669 Special Report HIGHLIGHTS On July 7, EPA opened a public docket and launched stakeholder listening sessions to gather input on implementation challenges and regulatory uncertainty...
(2017, Post) 15th Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims
2017 Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims (Link to Event) The Western States Water Council and the Native American Rights Fund held their fifteenth biennial Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims on August...
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
