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/ICWP/NWSA Washington, DC Roundtable (virtual)
WSWC Spring 2021 (195th) Meetings
WSWC Fall 2020 (194th) Meetings (held via webinar)
#464 – Federal Research on Climate Adaptation
Position #464 - March 25, 2021 WHEREAS, climate variability has serious potential consequences for water supply availability, water resources planning and management, water rights administration, flood management, and water quality management; and WHEREAS, much of the...
#463 – Integrating Water and Energy Planning and Policy
Position #463 - March 25, 2021 WHEREAS, the West enjoys diverse and abundant energy resources, including renewable and non-renewable resources, but water is scarce in much of the region and may or may not be sufficient for all proposed uses; and WHEREAS, power plant...
#462 – Water Infrastructure Funding
Position #462 - March 25, 2021 WHEREAS, maintaining and delivering sufficient water supplies of suitable quality is key to the West’s economic prosperity, environmental needs, and our quality of life, both now and in the future; and WHEREAS, appropriate water-related...
Issue #2448
Issue #2448
Letter supporting extension of the Reclamation Water Settlement Fund
On December 5, 2020, the WSWC, Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), sent a letter to House and Senate leadership expressing strong support for an extension of the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund (RWSF), created by Section 10501 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (43 U.S.C. 407).
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...
2021 Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims
The Western States Water Council and Native American Rights Fund will cosponsor a Symposium on the settlement of Indian reserved water rights claims on August 24-25, 2021. Due to COVID19 travel restrictions and concerns, the symposium will be hosted virtually. A...
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WIDS Spring Meeting – January 2019
WIDS Spring Meeting – January 2019 WIDS 2019 Planning Mtg – January 2019 – Meeting Agenda WIDS 2019 Planning Mtg – January 2019 – Meeting Minutes Meeting Summary: The WIDS group discussed the cloud survey results and report. An update on WaDE-Phase II was given....
(2019, Post) Water Information Management Systems (WIMS) Workshop & USGS Water Use Collaboration
WIMS Workshop (Link to Event) WORKSHOP GOALS To focus on the status of water use data science, state agency strategies for getting to high-quality water use information, including online reporting, automated data checking, and remote-sensing tools. The WIMS and USGS...
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
