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.
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.
ICWP/WSWC Water Workforce Development Workshop No. 2
Landsat Data for Water Resource Decision Making in Idaho
WSWC Fall (208th) Meetings – San Pedro, California
#457 – Supporting the Dividing the Waters Program for Judges (Past Position, see #467)
Position #457 - October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, the Dividing the Waters Program of the National Judicial College has served western judges overseeing complex water litigation for more than 20 years, providing information and training resources on water law and water...
#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...
Issue #2669/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2669 Issue #2669 Special Report HIGHLIGHTS On July 7, EPA opened a public docket and launched stakeholder listening sessions to gather input on implementation challenges and regulatory uncertainty...
WOTUS Letter to EPA and Corps
On October 4, the WSWC sent a letter to the EPA and Army (Civil Works) expressing the need for more robust and ongoing consultation with states on the development of a new rule defining the jurisdictional scope of “waters of the United States.”
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Topical Resources
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WSWC Letter to EPA Regarding §401 Certification Implementation Federalism Consultation
On September 7, 2025, WSWC sent a letter to EPA to engage in the federalism consultation triggered by the establishment of the public docket on Implementation Challenges Associated with Clean Water Act (CWA) §401. WSWC referenced the policies in Position #521,...
(2013, Post) Quantifying Drought Impacts Workshop
Workshop on Measuring, Quantifying, and Reporting Drought Impacts – Presentations (Link to Event) RELATED ITEMS: Click here for the Drought Impacts Data Clearinghouse Workshop Measuring, Quantifying, and Reporting Drought Impacts Sponsored by: Western States Water...
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
