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.
2024 WSWC Spring (203rd) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
New Mexico Integrated Water Financing Plan: Introductory Webinar
WSWC 2023 Fall Meetings
#456 – Protecting Groundwater Quality
Position #456 – October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, ground water is a critically important natural resource, especially in the mostly arid West; and WHEREAS, ground water management – the protection of its quality and its orderly, rational allocation and withdrawal for...
#455 – Supporting USDA Conservation Programs and Water Resources
Position #455 – October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, water is the lifeblood of the West and this is most apparent in the agricultural sector, which accounts for the predominant share of consumptive water use westwide; and WHEREAS, agriculture sustains many rural economies and...
#454 – Supporting Indian Water Rights Settlements
Position #454 – October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council, an instrumentality of eighteen westernstates advising Western Governors on water policy, has consistently supported negotiatedsettlement of disputed Indian water rights claims; and WHEREAS,...
Issue #2595/Special Report
To view and download these newsletters, click the links below: Issue #2595 Issue #2595 Special Report
Letter Supporting Various Provisions of Pending Infrastructure Bills
On June 10, 2020, the WSWC sent a letter to Senate Leadership supporting multiple infrastructure bills consistent with current Council positions.
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Topical Resources
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Issue #2601/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click the links below: Issue #2601 Issue #2601 Special Report
(2014, Post) Hydroclimate Monitoring Systems and Measurement Needs Workshop
Workshop on Hydroclimate Monitoring Systems and Measurement Needs (Link to Event) The Western States Water Council and the California Department of Water Resources are cosponsoring a workshop to discuss strategies for supporting and improving key observing systems, to...
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