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.
2025 Improving Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Precipitation Forecasting Workshop
2025 WSWC Spring (206th) Meetings in Lincoln, Nebraska
2024 WSWC Fall (205th) Meetings in Lawrence, Kansas
Position #528 – Supporting Rural Water Infrastructure Needs & Projects
Position #528 - Supporting Rural Water Infrastructure Needs & Projects WHEREAS, much of the West is characterized by its aridity and drought which highlights the fact that water availability is an ever present constraint defining our economic and environmental...
Position #527 – Regarding the Extension of NPDES Permit Terms
Position #527 - Regarding the Extension of NPDES Permit Terms WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and WHEREAS, the WSWC’s mission is to ensure that...
Position #526 – Regarding Abandoned Hardrock Mine Cleanup
Position #526 – Regarding Abandoned Hardrock Mine Cleanup WHEREAS, the General Mining Act of 1872 allowed individuals to obtain exclusive rights to valuable hardrock mineral deposits on land belonging to the United States without requirements to reclaim the land until...
Issue #2658
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2658 Newsletter Highlights: On April 23-25, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) held its 206th Spring Meetings in Lincoln, Nebraska. Members revised and re-adopted four sunsetting positions and...
FY2025-2026 Appropriations for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
On February 20, WSWC signed on to a letter to EPA regarding the FY2025-2026 Appropriations for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. A similar letter was also sent to the House/Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. Coalition Letter to EPA about...
Senate EPW Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Hearing
On May 16, 2023, Jennifer Verleger, Chair, Western States Water Council, and Assistant Attorney General, North Dakota Office of the Attorney General provided testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Transportation and...
Idaho Law Review 2024 Water Law Symposium
Join us on March 22, to hear from the leading scholars and experts in their fields about state water rights adjudications; administrative regulation over "waters of the United States" ("WOTUS") after Sackett v. EPA; and how state and federal laws impact the resilience...
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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Users Engagement Report: Western States Water Data Access and Analysis Tool (WestDAAT)
Download Executive Summary This report summarizes the Western States Water Council (WSWC) engagement campaign with users pre- and post-development of the Western States Water Data Access and Analysis Tool (WestDAAT),[1] mainly from September 2021 through September...
Position #531 – Regarding Clean Water Act Jurisdiction
Position #531 - Regarding Clean Water Act Jurisdiction WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and WHEREAS, the WSWC’s mission is to ensure that the...
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
Office Manager
