The Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI) was established at the University of Guam in May 1975. It is one of 54 institutes established by U.S. Congressional legislation at each Land Grant University in the United States and in several territories. Originally named Water and Energy Research Institute of the Western Pacific, WERI changed its name in 1998 in line with expanding research interests in water related areas of other disciplines, e.g., meteorology, geology, hydrology, geohydrology, engineering, environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, mapping and modeling. An account of WERI during this time period was documented by Dr. Stephen J. Winters in a keynote speech at the University of Guam, which details some of the early problems they have encountered, research projects, and his vision of the institution’s progress towards to the future. 

The role of the Institute is to facilitate and conduct high quality research that addresses water problems and water-related phenomena; train students, teachers and future water resource professionals, and disseminate research results to the community at large. Base support for WERI comes from the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) 104-B Program administered through the U.S. Geological Survey. The Institute also seeks funding for research projects from local and other federal sources.