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.
#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,...
#453 – Regarding Water Related Federal Rules, Regulations, Directives, Orders and Policies
Position #453 – July 22, 2020 WHEREAS, Presidential Executive Order 13132, issued on August 4, 1999, requires federal agencies to “have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies...
#452 – Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and the USGS Water Resources Research Act Program
Position #452 – July 22, 2020 WHEREAS, in the West, water is a vital and scarce resource the availability of which has and continues to circumscribe growth, development, our economic well being and environmental quality of life; and WHEREAS, the wise use,...
Issue 2652
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2652
Letter to EPA re: Section 401 Certification Rule Review
On April 23, 2021, the Council sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency asking for an expedient review of the Section 401 Certification Final Rule that went into effect on September 11, 2020. See full letter here.
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Topical Resources
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Issue 2662
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2662 HIGHLIGHTS On May 21, the EPA issued a memo clarifying that CWA Section 401 allows states and tribes to address only water quality-related impacts. The memo aligns with the agency’s “Powering...
(2013, Post) WSWC / WGA Energy-Water Workshop
WSWC-WGA Water/Energy Workshop (Link to Event) WHERE: Sheraton Denver Downtown 1550 Court Place Denver, CO WHEN: April 2nd, 2013 Energy-Water Workshop Summary Report WSWC-WGA 2013 Energy-Water Workshop Agenda
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
