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 #513 – Federal Research on Climate Adaptation

Position #513 - Federal Research on Climate Adaptation WHEREAS, climate variability has serious potential consequences for water supply availability, water resources planning and management, water rights administration, flood management, and water quality management;...

read more

Position #511 – Water Infrastructure Funding

Position #511 - Water Infrastructure Funding WHEREAS, maintaining and delivering sufficient water supplies of suitable quality is key to the West’s economic prosperity, environmental needs, and our quality of life, both now and in the future; and WHEREAS, appropriate...

read more

To view and download the newsletter, click the link below: Issue #2600

read more

Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science

On December 1, 2022, the Western States Water Council provided written testimony to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space and Science on Landsat at 50 and the Future of U.S. Satellite-based Earth Observation.  The WSWC has...

read more

National Fish Habitat Board – Seeking Nominations

The National Fish Habitat Partnership Board (Board) is seeking nominations from organizations or individuals whose work and interests include fisheries and aquatic habitat conservation to fill vacant seats on the Board. The Board is responsible for carrying out a...

read more

Western Water Perspectives

In this section, we will post reflective articles on water-related topics that summarize and review what has been done on a particular theme of interest.

read more

Topical Resources

Under Construction

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

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.

Pat Tyrrell

Former 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.

Tom Stiles

Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment

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.

Garland Erbele

Former North Dakota State Engineer

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