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.
#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...
#461 – Weather Station Networks
Position #461 - March 25, 2021 WHEREAS, Western States experience great variability in precipitation, with serious impacts and consequences for water supply planning and management, drought and flood preparedness and response, water rights and water market...
Issue 2655
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2655 Newsletter Highlights On March 20, the U.S. Department of State denied Mexico's request to use a special connection to deliver Colorado River water to Tijuana, citing Mexico's shortfalls in...
State Comments on EPA’s Request for WOTUS Recommendations
On September 3, 2021, the public comment period closed on the EPA’s Request for Recommendations: Waters of the United States. The following links are comments submitted by some of our states, sharing their positive and negative experiences under different WOTUS regulatory regimes.
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Topical Resources
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WSWC Letter to EPA Regarding WOTUS Federalism Consultation
On April 4, 2025 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers initiated a federalism consultation, under the terms of Executive Order 13132 ("Federalism"), for a the agencies' intent to create a lasting definition of "waters of the United...
NOAA Congressional Briefing Materials
We are debuting several new items highlighting programmatic data and monitoring needs in the West, as well as some of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) water programs that are valuable to western water management. Please enjoy! Data and...
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
