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 #487 – Urges the Administration and NASA to Enhance Focus on Research for Water Resources Applications and Promote Long-term Engagement With the WSWC
Position #487 – Urges the Administration and NASA to Enhance Focus on Research for Water Resources Applications and Promote Long-term Engagement with the WSWC WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council is a policy advisory body representing eighteen states, and has...
Position #486 – Related to EPA Exercise of Authority Under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act
Position #486: Related to EPA Exercise of Authority Under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council’s (WSWC) mission is “to ensure that the West has an adequate, secure, and sustainable supply of water of suitable quality to meet...
Position #485 – Supports Water Research and Development Programs at the Department of Energy National Laboratories
Position #485 - Supports Water Research and Development Programs at the Department of Energy National Laboratories WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (the Council) has long recognized that water and energy resources are interdependent – using one requires the...
Issue #2663
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2663 HIGHLIGHTS On May 15, the EPA announced $24.9M in funding for the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Grant Program to support safe drinking water infrastructure and...
Water Quality Standards and Tribal Reserved Rights
On March 6, 2023, the comment period closed for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rulemaking, Water Quality Standards Regulatory Revisions to Protect Tribal Reserved Rights (87 FR 74361). Several states submitted comments to the docket, including Alaska,...
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 Fall Meeting – October 2017
WIDS Fall Meeting – October 2017 WIDS Fall Mtg – October 2017 – Meeting Agenda WIDS Fall Mtg – October 2017 – Meeting Minutes Meeting Summary: WIDS group members reviewed the States’ Use of Cloud Platforms Survey results and also gave feedback on the January 2018 WIMS...
Issue #2667
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2667 HIGHLIGHTS On June 23-24, the Western Governors’ Association met in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for its annual meeting hosted by WGA Chair Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, joined by six other...
2016 Annual Report
2016 Annual Report
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
