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.
WSWC 2023 Fall Meetings
2023 Improving Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Precipitation Forecasting to Support Water Management Workshop
WSWC-NARF 18th Biennial Indian Reserved Water Rights Symposium
Position #504 – Supporting Indian Water Rights Settlements
Position #504 - Indian Water Rights Settlements WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council, an instrumentality of eighteen western states advising Western Governors on water policy, has consistently supported negotiated settlement of disputed Indian water rights...
Position #503 – Regarding Water-Related Federal Rules, Regulations, Directives, Orders and Policies
Position #503 - Regarding Water-Related Federal Rules, Regulations, Directives, Orders and Policies WHEREAS, Presidential Executive Order 13132, issued on August 4, 1999, requires federal agencies to “have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input...
Position #502 – Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and USGS Water Resources Research Act Program
Position #502 - Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and USGS Water Resources Research Act Program WHEREAS, in the West, water is a vital and scarce resource the availability of which has and continues to circumscribe growth, development, our economic...
Issue #2574
Issue #2574
Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science
On December 1, 2022, the Western States Water Council provided written testimony to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space and Science on Landsat at 50 and the Future of U.S. Satellite-based Earth Observation. The WSWC has...
State of Oregon Recruiting for Oregon Water Resources Department Director
The State of Oregon is recruiting for the next Director of the Oregon Water Resources Department. The Water Resources Director is the chief administrative officer of the Water Resources Department. This role executes department policies and enforces the state water...
Western Water Perspectives
In this section, we will post reflective articles on water-related topics that summarize and review what has been done on a particular theme of interest.
Topical Resources
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WaDE Pilot Water Use Data Sharing Project with USGS
The Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program at the Western States Water Council (WSWC) received a Moore Foundation grant extension through Duke University from September 16, 2021 - September 15, 2022, to accomplish, among other deliverables, a Pilot Data Sharing Project of...
Position #506 – Asserting State Primacy on Protecting Ground Water Quality
Position #506 - Asserting State Primacy on Protecting Ground Water Quality WHEREAS, groundwater is a critically important natural resource, especially in the mostly arid West; and WHEREAS, groundwater management – the protection of its quality and its orderly,...
Outreach Sheet
WestFAST Outreach Sheet
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
Administrative Assistant
