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 Spring (203rd) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
New Mexico Integrated Water Financing Plan: Introductory Webinar
WSWC 2023 Fall Meetings
Position #504 – Supporting Indian Water Rights Settlements
Position #504 - Indian Water Rights Settlements WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council, an instrumentality of eighteen western states advising Western Governors on water policy, has consistently supported negotiated settlement of disputed Indian water rights...
Position #503 – Regarding Water-Related Federal Rules, Regulations, Directives, Orders and Policies
Position #503 - Regarding Water-Related Federal Rules, Regulations, Directives, Orders and Policies WHEREAS, Presidential Executive Order 13132, issued on August 4, 1999, requires federal agencies to “have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input...
Position #502 – Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and USGS Water Resources Research Act Program
Position #502 - Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and USGS Water Resources Research Act Program WHEREAS, in the West, water is a vital and scarce resource the availability of which has and continues to circumscribe growth, development, our economic...
Issue #2600
To view and download the newsletter, click the link below: Issue #2600
Water Quality Standards and Tribal Reserved Rights
On March 6, 2023, the comment period closed for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rulemaking, Water Quality Standards Regulatory Revisions to Protect Tribal Reserved Rights (87 FR 74361). Several states submitted comments to the docket, including Alaska,...
Senate Agriculture Committee Subcommittee Hearing
On June 7, the Senate Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources held a hearing the Western Water Crisis: Confronting Persistent Drought and Building Resilience on our Forests and Farmland. Earl Lewis, Chief Engineer,...
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer -Managing Attorney/Attorney Supervisor
The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer’s Litigation and Adjudication Program seeks to hire a Managing Attorney to oversee cases and professional legal staff in the agency’s Administrative Litigation Unit. This position manages water rights permitting and...
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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,...
Report on the Availability of Aggregated Water Use Data in Selected Western States
Download (coming soon) This report: (1) summarizes the availability of data for aggregated or summary water use data in the Colorado River Basin States that is available through WaDE; (2) identifies gaps within the currently available water data and improvements that...
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
Administrative Assistant