
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 #529 – Supporting Renewable Hydropower Development
Position #529 - supporting Renewable Hydropower Development WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and WHEREAS, the WSWC’s mission is to ensure that...
Position #528 – Supporting Rural Water Infrastructure Needs & Projects
Position #528 - Supporting Rural Water Infrastructure Needs & Projects WHEREAS, much of the West is characterized by its aridity and drought which highlights the fact that water availability is an ever present constraint defining our economic and environmental...
Position #527 – Regarding the Extension of NPDES Permit Terms
Position #527 - Regarding the Extension of NPDES Permit Terms WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) is a government entity representing eighteen states, with members appointed by their respective governors; and WHEREAS, the WSWC’s mission is to ensure that...
Issue #2679/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2679 Issue #2679 Special Report HIGHLIGHTS On September 10, the House T&I Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment reviewed the Corps’ implementation of recent WRDAs. Members focused on...
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...
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Topical Resources

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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...
Position #538 – Supporting Legislation Requiring the Federal Government to Pay State Filing Fees in State General Stream Adjudications
Position #538 - Supporting Legislation Requiring the Federal Government to Pay State Filing Fees in State General Stream Adjudications WHEREAS, water is the lifeblood of each of the arid Western States, the allocation of which determines the future of each Western...
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
