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 #523 – Regarding Drought Preparedness, Prediction and Early Warning Programs
Position #523 – Regarding Drought Preparedness, Prediction and Early Warning Programs WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council is a policy advisory body representing eighteen states, and has long been involved in western water conservation, development, protection,...
Position #522 – Regarding Federal Water and Climate Data Collection and Analysis Programs
Position #522 – Regarding Federal Water and Climate Data Collection and Analysis Programs WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council is a policy advisory body representing eighteen states, and has long been involved in western water conservation, development,...
Position #521 – Supporting State Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Authority
Position #521 – Supporting State Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Authority WHEREAS, States have responsibly exercised their delegated authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 and under state water quality statutes to protect water quality, and...
Position #541 – Regarding Water-Related Federal Rules, Regulations, Directives, Orders and Policies
Position #541 - 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...
WSWC Comments on the Proposed Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States” 2026
On January 5, WSWC submitted a comment on the proposed rule updating the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS)(90 FR 52498). WSWC expressed appreciation for the nuanced questions included in the preamble, emphasizing the importance of states’ perspectives...
Senate Water and Power Subcommittee Hearing
On May 25, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee held a hearing on the following bills: (1) S. 953 to provide for drought preparedness and improved water supply reliability; (2) S. 2334 to direct the Secretary of the...
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Topical Resources
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WIDS Summer Meeting – August 2021
Water Information and Data Subcommittee (WIDS) Summer Meeting – August 2021 Meeting Summary The meeting was attended by 40 experts on water and data including guests from the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP) Water Data & Science Committee. The meeting...
Issue #2699
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2699 with Topical Report: State Legislative Approaches to Data Centers HIGHLIGHTS On May 18, 2026, EPA proposed two new rules to modify the 2024 national drinking water standards for PFAS, with...
(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
