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.
WSWC Webinar: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FIRO National Screening Updates with Cary Talbot
WSWC Summer (210th) Meetings
2026 WSWC Spring (209th) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
Position #499 – Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation
Position #499 - Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation WHEREAS, the future growth, prosperity and economic and environmental health of the West and the Nation depend upon the availability of adequate quantities of water for myriad uses; and WHEREAS,...
Position #498 – Supporting National Dam Safety Programs
Position #498 - Supporting National Dam Safety Programs WHEREAS, access to, and availability of, water profoundly influences growth and development, economic and environmental well-being, and the quality of life for the population; and WHEREAS, across the Nation, dams...
Position #497 – Regarding Rural Water and Wastewater Project/Infrastructure Needs and USDA Programs
Position #497 - Regarding Rural Water and Wastewater Project/Infrastructure Needs and USDA Programs 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, our...
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...
Reintroduction of the Water Data Act
On October 1, the WSWC sent a letter to Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) in support of the reintroduction of the Water Data Act and supports leveraging state and federal resources to build a national water data framework for sharing, integrating, and utilizing...
Testimony: NASA and Water Data
On June 21, the WSWC submitted written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. The testimony addresses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Applied Earth Science...
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Topical Resources
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WIDS Spring Meeting – February 2018
WIDS Spring Meeting – February 2018 WIDS Spring Mtg – February 2018 – Meeting Agenda WIDS Spring Mtg – February 2018 – Meeting Minutes Meeting Summary: The WIDS group discussed the cloud survey results and report. The recent WIMS workshop was reviewed. A WaDE status...
Position #540 – Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation
Position #540 - Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation WHEREAS, the future growth, prosperity and economic and environmental health of the West and the Nation depend upon the availability of adequate quantities of water for myriad uses; and WHEREAS,...
(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
