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.
2024 WSWC Spring (203rd) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
New Mexico Integrated Water Financing Plan: Introductory Webinar
WSWC 2023 Fall Meetings
Position #501 – Regarding the Reclamation Fund
Position #501 - Regarding the Reclamation Fund 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 and our economic well- being and environmental quality of...
Position #500 – Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs
Position #500 - Supporting NOAA Data, Forecasting, and Research Programs WHEREAS, federal agency data and research programs provide an important foundation for supporting water management decision-making by western federal, state, and local agencies and tribes; and...
Position #499 – Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation
Position #499 - Regarding Preemption of State Law in Federal Legislation WHEREAS, the future growth, prosperity and economic and environmental health of the West and the Nation depend upon the availability of adequate quantities of water for myriad uses; and WHEREAS,...
Issue #2599
To view and download the newsletter, click the link below: Issue #2599
CSG-West/WSWC CWA 401 Comment Letter
On August 8, 2022, the Council of State Governments-West (CSG-West) and the Western States Water Council (WSWC) submitted comments in the form of a letter to EPA Administrator Regan regarding EPA’s proposed rule to improve the Clean Water Act Section 401 state...
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...
New Mexico – Deputy Director/Water Resources Manager II
The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) is looking to fill the position of Deputy Director/Water Resources Manager II. This position assists the NMISC Director in supervising the NMISC’s bureau chiefs, supporting team-building efforts agency-wide, and...
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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 #2601/Special Report
To view and download the newsletters, click the links below: Issue #2601 Issue #2601 Special Report
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
Administrative Assistant
