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.
#481 – Clean Water Act Jurisdiction
#481 - Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Position #481 (April 6, 2022) 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...
#480 – Migratory Birds and the Management of State Water Rights and Resources
#480 - Migratory Birds and the Management of State Water Rights and Resources Position #480 (April 6, 2022) WHEREAS, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.) prohibits the taking of various migratory birds; and WHEREAS, in December of 2021, the...
#479 – Renewable Hydropower Development
#479 - Renewable Hydropower Development Position #479 (April 6, 2022) WHEREAS, the water and hydropower resources of the West have been developed through partnerships between energy and water users, and continue to be inextricably connected; and WHEREAS, clean,...
Issue #2661
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2661 HIGHLIGHTS On May 14, the EPA announced it will retain existing national drinking water regulations for PFOA and PFOS, but will revisit and potentially revise rules for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX....
WSWC Letters on Abandoned Mines to the Administration and to Congress
On July 28, WSWC sent two letters on abandoned mines to the Administration and to Congress. The first letter was addressed to Secretary Deb Haaland, Department of the Interior; Secretary Tom Vilsak, Department of Agriculture; and Administrator Michael Regan, EPA. It...
Testimony: Appropriations for USDA
On April 6, 2020, the WSWC submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, with a focus on support for USDA programs. The testimony relied on four...
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Topical Resources
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Issue #2665
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2665 HIGHLIGHTS The Western States Water Council (WSWC) celebrated its 60th Anniversary at its summer meetings in Snowbird, Utah. Council members discussed strategic planning, including increased...
(2015, Post) WSWC/CDWR Workshop on Sub-Seasonal and Seasonal Precipitation Forecasting
WSWC/CDWR Workshop on Sub-Seasonal and Seasonal Precipitation Forecasting (Link to Event) The Western States Water Council and the California Department of Water Resources cosponsored a workshop on precipitation forecasting held May 27-29, 2015 in San Diego,...
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
