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.
#472 – Clean Water Act Jurisdiction (Past Position, see #481)
Position #472 - September 16, 2021 WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act (CWA) is built upon the principle of cooperative federalism in which Congress intended the states, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement the CWA as...
#471 – State Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Authority
Position #471 - September 16, 2021 WHEREAS, States have responsibly exercised their delegated authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 and under state water quality statutes to protect water quality, and must consider proposed activities and discharges in...
#470 – Endangered Species and State Water Rights
Position #470 - June 25, 2021 WHEREAS, Section 2(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act declares it is the policy of Congress that Federal agencies shall cooperate with State and local agencies to resolve water resource issues in concert with conservation of endangered...
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...
S2S FY2023 Funding Support Letters
On April 25, the WSWC joined a letter of support to the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, and Science, that was signed by numerous water management agencies and organizations including: the Association of California Water Agencies;...
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Topical Resources
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Position #533 – Strengthening the Resiliency of Our Nation to the Impacts of Extreme Weather Events
Position #533 - Strengthening the Resiliency of Our Nation to the Impacts of Extreme Weather Events WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and ...
(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
