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.
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.
WSWC Webinar: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FIRO National Screening Updates with Cary Talbot
WSWC Summer (210th) Meetings
2026 WSWC Spring (209th) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
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 #2697
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2697 HIGHLIGHTS On April 21, WSWC staff conducted a full day of Congressional Hill visits, meeting with twelve offices including staff for House Appropriations and Science Committee chairs....
WSWC Comments on the Proposed Rule “Updating the Water Quality Certification Regulations” (CWA §401) 2026
On February 17, the WSWC submitted comments on the proposed rule, “Updating the Water Quality Certification Regulations,” urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to respect state primacy and cooperative federalism in implementing §401 of the Clean Water Act...
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 Website Design
We are glad to announce our new website design with enhanced features that support easier navigation for our visitors. Please be patient as we continue to update many of our pages. If you face any issues, please contact Adel Abdallah: adelabdallah@wswc.utah.gov
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Topical Resources
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Putting Water Data to Work: Western States Efforts to Inform Decision-Making
How should water data be structured and published to inform a wide range of decision-making activities for so many purposes? Here are a few stakeholder engagement reports from the leading states on this topic: California, Texas, and New Mexico. Informing the...
Issue #2700
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2700 HIGHLIGHTS FY2027 Appropriations/Energy and Water Development On May 20, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the FY27 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill (H.R. 9022) with...
2020 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
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
