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.
2026 WSWC Spring (209th) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
ICWP/WSWC Water Workforce Development Workshop No. 2
Landsat Data for Water Resource Decision Making in Idaho
Position #489 – Supporting Legislation Requiring the Federal Government to Pay State Filing Fees in State General Stream Adjudications
Position #489 – Supporting Legislation Requiring the Federal Government to Pay State Filing Fees in State General Stream Adjudications WHEREAS, water is the lifeblood of each of the arid Western States, the allocation of which determines the future of each Western...
Position #488 – Expressing Support for Implementation of the SECURE Water Act
Position #488 – Expressing Support for Implementation of the SECURE Water Act 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...
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...
Issue #2685
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2683 HIGHLIGHTS On November 7, the Trump Administration announced it had completed its review of EPA’s forthcoming rule redefining “waters of the United States.” More details will be released once...
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...
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 #2693
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2693 HIGHLIGHTS On February 17, the public comment period closed for EPA's 2026 Proposed Rule updating Water Quality Certification Regulations, drawing sharply divided responses from two coalitions...
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
