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 Spring (201st) Meetings
WSWC-CWAG Briefing on the Corps Western Water Cooperative Committee
States-only PFAS Roundtable
Position #500 – Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs
Position #500 - Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs WHEREAS, federal agency data and research programs provide an important foundation for supporting water management decision-making by western federal, state, and local agencies and tribes; and...
Position #499 – Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation
Position #499 - Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation WHEREAS, the future growth, prosperity and economic and environmental health of the West and the Nation depend upon the availability of adequate quantities of water for myriad uses; and WHEREAS,...
Position #498 – Supporting National Dam Safety Programs
Position #498 - Supporting National Dam Safety Programs WHEREAS, access to, and availability of, water profoundly influences growth and development, economic and environmental well-being, and the quality of life for the population; and WHEREAS, across the Nation, dams...
Issue #2560 Special Report
Issue #2560 Special Report
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...
North Dakota Engineer Manager Southwest Pipeline Project
The North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR) is looking for a person with a background in engineering to serve the citizens of our state as a part of Team North Dakota. The Southwest Pipeline Project (SWPP) Manager is responsible for all construction related...
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...
Issue #2560 Special Report
Issue #2560 Special Report
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
