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.
2024 WSWC Fall (205th) Meetings in Lawrence, Kansas
WestDAAT Applications: Using Western State Water Rights Data to Facilitate Community Environmental Collaboration
2024 WSWC Summer (204th) Meetings in West Fargo, North Dakota
Position #520 – Endangered Species and State Water Rights
Position #520 – Endangered Species and State Water Rights 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...
Position #519 – Water Transfers and NPDES Discharge Permits
Position #519 – Water Transfers and NPDES Discharge Permits WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) has long declared its position that the transport of water through constructed conveyances to supply beneficial uses should not trigger federal National...
Position #518 – Rural Water Supply Project/Infrastructure Needs
Position #518 – Rural Water Supply Project/Infrastructure Needs 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, our economic and environmental...
Issue 2642
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #:2642
WSWC Letter of Support for Landsat Next
On August 16, the WSWC sent a letter to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Brain and Deputy Administrator Melroy, expressing strong support for the timely development and launch of the Landsat Next mission given its increasingly critical importance to western water...
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...
WSWC Policy Analyst Position
The Western States Water Council is hiring a full-time Policy Analyst.
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Topical Resources
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Closed. Hydroinformatics Intern Summer 2023: Open Position
The Western States Water Council (WSWC) is looking for an intern with an interest and experience in the field of hydroinformatics and application development to work part-time (15 to 30 hours per week) for approximately 12 weeks (June through August and potentially...
Issue 2642
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #:2642
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
Office Manager
