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 #520 – Endangered Species and State Water Rights
Position #520 – Endangered Species and State Water Rights WHEREAS, Section 2(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act declares it is the policy of Congress that Federal agencies shall cooperate with State and local agencies to resolve water resource issues in concert with...
Position #519 – Water Transfers and NPDES Discharge Permits
Position #519 – Water Transfers and NPDES Discharge Permits WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council (WSWC) has long declared its position that the transport of water through constructed conveyances to supply beneficial uses should not trigger federal National...
Position #518 – Rural Water Supply Project/Infrastructure Needs
Position #518 – Rural Water Supply Project/Infrastructure Needs 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, our economic and environmental...
Issue #2674/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2674 Issue #2674 Special Report HIGHLIGHTS President Trump’s August 7 Executive Order requires agencies to appoint senior officials to review all new federal grant opportunities in coordination with...
FY2025-2026 Appropriations for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
On February 20, WSWC signed on to a letter to EPA regarding the FY2025-2026 Appropriations for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. A similar letter was also sent to the House/Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. Coalition Letter to EPA about...
S. 2568 Open Access Evapotranspiration (Open ET) Data Act
On June 7, the Western States Water Council submitted written comments to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Public Lands, Forests & Mining Subcommittee strongly supporting efforts to enhance and expand the availability of and open access to...
WRP Webinar: Groundwater-Surface Water Interface
On October 26, 2021, the Western Regional Partnership (WRP) hosted a Western Water Security webinar on Groundwater-Surface Water Interface. Speakers from Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah offered different perspectives on the...
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Topical Resources
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WSWC Celebrating Ten Years of Western Water Data Sharing
Ten years ago, the Western States Water Council launched the Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program. Since then, WaDE has made great strides in sharing western water data and has grown significantly and become a national data hub as part of the Internet of Water. Check...
Issue #2677
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2677 HIGHLIGHTS House AppropriationsOn September 4, the House narrowly passed the FY2026 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill by a 214–213 vote, including amendments that redirected and...
(2019, Post) Water Information Management Systems (WIMS) Workshop & USGS Water Use Collaboration
WIMS Workshop (Link to Event) WORKSHOP GOALS To focus on the status of water use data science, state agency strategies for getting to high-quality water use information, including online reporting, automated data checking, and remote-sensing tools. The WIMS and USGS...
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
