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
#474 – Drought Preparedness, Prediction and Early Warning Programs
Position #474 - September 16, 2021 WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council is a policy advisory body representing eighteen states, and has long been involved in western water conservation, development, protection, and management issues, and western states have a...
#473 – Federal Water and Climate Data Collection and Analysis Programs
Position #473 - September 16, 2021 WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council is a policy advisory body representing eighteen states, and has long been involved in western water conservation, development, protection, and management issues, and the member states and...
#472 – Clean Water Act Jurisdiction (Past Position, see #481)
Position #472 - September 16, 2021 WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act (CWA) is built upon the principle of cooperative federalism in which Congress intended the states, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement the CWA as...
Issue #2601/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click the links below: Issue #2601 Issue #2601 Special Report
Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule
On August 2, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closed the comment period for its Intention to Reconsider and Revise the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule (Docket #EPA-HQ-OW-2021-0302-0001). EPA’s notice of intent indicated that its revisions would...
Testimony: Support for USDA Water Programs
On June 1, the WSWC submitted written testimony to to the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. The testimony focused on general support for several water-focused programs...
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Topical Resources
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WIDS Spring Meeting – January 2019
WIDS Spring Meeting – January 2019 WIDS 2019 Planning Mtg – January 2019 – Meeting Agenda WIDS 2019 Planning Mtg – January 2019 – Meeting Minutes Meeting Summary: The WIDS group discussed the cloud survey results and report. An update on WaDE-Phase II was given....
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...
Seasonal Forecasting – WSWC Workshops and Materials
The WSWC has long supported efforts to improve seasonal and mid-season forecasting, federal agency data-collection, and application development for more informed water resource management. Here is a collection of reports, workshops, and other materials related to the...
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