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 #2678
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2678 HIGHLIGHTS Weather Act Reauthorization ActOn September 10, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology passed an amended version of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5089)....
WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act (H.R. 635)
On March 5, the WSWC sent a letter to the leadership of the House Committee on Natural Resources in support of Rep. Stansbury’s WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act (H.R. 635). The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior, as needed, to reduce or waive...
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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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,...
Position #537 – Support for the SECURE Water Act
Position #537 - Support for the SECURE Water Act 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 the West has...
Improving Sub-Seasonal to Seasonal (S2S) Precipitation Forecasting for Water Management (2020)
The Western States Water Council asks that the federal government provide resources for pilot projects to improve subseasonal to seasonal (S2S) precipitation forecasting to support water management in the western states, pursuant to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act.
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
