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 #2681
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2681 HIGHLIGHTS On October 1, the federal government shut down after the Senate rejected a seven-week stopgap bill, halting non-essential services while allowing agencies to continue critical life,...
Weather Act Reauthorization Act (H.R. 6093)
On March 4, 2024 the Western States Water Council sent a letter of support and recommendations for the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 6093) to House Leadership, and to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. WSWC March 2024 Letter to House...
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...
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Topical Resources
Under Construction
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
WSWC Comments on the Proposed Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States” 2026
On January 5, WSWC submitted a comment on the proposed rule updating the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS)(90 FR 52498). WSWC expressed appreciation for the nuanced questions included in the preamble, emphasizing the importance of states’ perspectives...
(2015, Post) 14th Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims
2015 NARF Symposium on Indian Water Rights Settlements (Link to Event) The Western States Water Council and the Native American Rights Fund held their fourteenth Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims on August 25-27, at the Peppermill...
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
