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.
Position #526 – Regarding Abandoned Hardrock Mine Cleanup
Position #526 – Regarding Abandoned Hardrock Mine Cleanup WHEREAS, the General Mining Act of 1872 allowed individuals to obtain exclusive rights to valuable hardrock mineral deposits on land belonging to the United States without requirements to reclaim the land until...
Position #525 – Regarding States’ Water Rights and Natural Flows
Position #525 – Regarding States’ Water Rights and Natural Flows WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council strongly supports preservation of the States’ inherent right to develop, use, control, and distribute water; and WHEREAS, States have exclusive authority over...
Position #524 – Regarding Bureau of Reclamation Drought Response Program
Position #524 – Regarding Bureau of Reclamation Drought Response Program WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council is a policy advisory body representing eighteen states and since its inception the Council has been actively involved in national drought preparedness,...
Issue #2676
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2676 HIGHLIGHTS ADMINISTRATION/WATER QUALITY – CWA §401 Certification Authority/FederalismOn August 18, the EPA Office of Water held a federalism consultation with States regarding challenges...
EPA/Army Corps’ Solicitation of Feedback on Waters of the United States Post-Sackett Implementation
On April 23, 2025, the comment period closed for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineer's request for feedback on implementation of the definition of “waters of the United States" (WOTUS) in light of the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in...
Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science
On December 1, 2022, the Western States Water Council provided written testimony to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space and Science on Landsat at 50 and the Future of U.S. Satellite-based Earth Observation. The WSWC has...
Idaho Law Review 2024 Water Law Symposium
Join us on March 22, to hear from the leading scholars and experts in their fields about state water rights adjudications; administrative regulation over "waters of the United States" ("WOTUS") after Sackett v. EPA; and how state and federal laws impact the resilience...
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Topical Resources
Under Construction
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
WaDE Pilot Water Use Data Sharing Project with USGS
The Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program at the Western States Water Council (WSWC) received a Moore Foundation grant extension through Duke University from September 16, 2021 - September 15, 2022, to accomplish, among other deliverables, a Pilot Data Sharing Project of...
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,...
Stock Water Rights for Grazing Livestock on Federal Lands
A report on select western state and federal laws, policies, and perspectives on stock water rights, as well as some stock owner perspectives. The report is intended to serve as a useful tool to facilitate understanding, and as a springboard to continue conversations as we seek to reduce conflicts where possible.
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
