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.
#451 – Regarding the Reclamation Fund
Position #451 – July 22, 2020 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 wellbeing and environmental quality of life – the wise...
#450 – Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs
Position #450 – July 22, 2020 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 WHEREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric...
#449 – Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation
Position #449 – Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation (July 22, 2020) 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...
Issue 2652
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2652
Letter supporting extension of the Reclamation Water Settlement Fund
On December 5, 2020, the WSWC, Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), sent a letter to House and Senate leadership expressing strong support for an extension of the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund (RWSF), created by Section 10501 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (43 U.S.C. 407).
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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...
2013 Annual Report
2013 Annual Report
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
