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.
WSWC 2023 Fall Meetings
2023 Improving Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Precipitation Forecasting to Support Water Management Workshop
WSWC-NARF 18th Biennial Indian Reserved Water Rights Symposium
Position #501 – Regarding the Reclamation Fund
Position #501 - Regarding the Reclamation Fund WHEREAS, in the West, water is indeed our “life blood,” a vital and scarce resource the availability of which has and continues to circumscribe growth, development and our economic well- being and environmental quality of...
Position #500 – Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs
Position #500 - Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs WHEREAS, federal agency data and research programs provide an important foundation for supporting water management decision-making by western federal, state, and local agencies and tribes; and...
Position #499 – Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation
Position #499 - Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation WHEREAS, the future growth, prosperity and economic and environmental health of the West and the Nation depend upon the availability of adequate quantities of water for myriad uses; and WHEREAS,...
Issue #2572
Issue #2572
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing – Drought
On June 14, 2022, the Western States Water Council provided written testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the drought afflicting the West, highlighting some of the tools and programs that are increasingly important as we address the short...
California State Water Resources Control Board – Water Rights Administrative Hearing Officer
The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) has an opening for an Attorney IV to serve as a hearing officer in complex water right matters, including water right enforcement matters. The State Water Resources Control Board...
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Topical Resources
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Western State Water Program Capabilities Assessment Update Report 2022
In June 2014, WSWC published a "Western State Water Program Capabilities Assessment Survey & Report," which was the culmination of extensive meetings, conversations, and written responses to a survey.[1] The survey sought to understand how the States collect,...
Position #505 – Supporting USDA Conservation Programs and Water Resources
Position #505 - Supporting USDA Conservation Programs and Water Resources 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,...
Wild & Scenic Rivers Workshop
On September 14, 2021, the Western States Water Council and WestFAST jointly hosted a Wild & Scenic Rivers Workshop. The Non-Tribal Federal Water Rights Workgroup, comprised of WSWC and WestFAST members, has as its primary purpose to facilitate state-federal...
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
Administrative Assistant
