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 #498 – Supporting National Dam Safety Programs
Position #498 - Supporting National Dam Safety Programs WHEREAS, access to, and availability of, water profoundly influences growth and development, economic and environmental well-being, and the quality of life for the population; and WHEREAS, across the Nation, dams...
Position #497 – Regarding Rural Water and Wastewater Project/Infrastructure Needs and USDA Programs
Position #497 - Regarding Rural Water and Wastewater Project/Infrastructure Needs and USDA Programs 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...
Position #496 – Regarding the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Position #496 - Regarding the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and State and Tribal Assistance Grants WHEREAS, the economies of every state and the Nation as a whole depend upon sufficient water supplies of suitable quality, which require adequate water...
Issue #2598/Water Law Symposium
To view and download the newsletter, click the link below: Issue #2598 Idaho Law Review 2024 Water Law Symposium Join us to hear from the leading scholars and experts in their fields about state water rights adjudications; administrative regulation over "waters of the...
WSWC Letters on Abandoned Mines to the Administration and to Congress
On July 28, WSWC sent two letters on abandoned mines to the Administration and to Congress. The first letter was addressed to Secretary Deb Haaland, Department of the Interior; Secretary Tom Vilsak, Department of Agriculture; and Administrator Michael Regan, EPA. It...
House NR Subcommittee Hearing: Hybrid WOW Legislative Hearing
On May 12, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a remote hearing on the following bills: (1) H.R. 3081 to make certain irrigation districts eligible for Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program pumping power, and for other purposes;...
State of Oregon Recruiting for Oregon Water Resources Department Director
The State of Oregon is recruiting for the next Director of the Oregon Water Resources Department. The Water Resources Director is the chief administrative officer of the Water Resources Department. This role executes department policies and enforces the state water...
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
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.
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 #2600
To view and download the newsletter, click the link below: Issue #2600
(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
Administrative Assistant