The Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) funds stormwater initiatives that improve water quality, increase our local water supply, and provide community benefits such as green spaces and parks. The program cultivates regional and community partnerships and prioritizes historically underserved communities. This newsletter provides important updates designed to help you stay informed and engaged. For further information on regional proposals, including those that are funded or under consideration, please visit the projects webpage.
Key Dates to Know:
- April 8, 2026 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
Program Spotlights:
Groundbreaking Ceremony – 28th Street Storm Drain Infiltration Project
The City of Manhattan Beach celebrated a major milestone on March 5 with a groundbreaking ceremony for the 28th Street Storm Drain Infiltration Project. This project will capture and treat stormwater runoff before it reaches Santa Monica Bay, helping protect coastal waters and meet state water quality standards.
Supported by over $17.6 million from the SCW Regional Program and additional leveraged funding, the project will install key infrastructure—including a diversion structure, pretreatment unit, drywells, and an infiltration trench—to reduce bacteria, trash, and debris in stormwater runoff. Enhancements will also include permeable pavement, new trees, and dune restoration at Bruce’s Beach, creating both environmental and community benefits.
Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program
On March 6, grantees and partners gathered at Magic Johnson Park for the second Grantee Convening, fostering collaboration, idea sharing, and stronger connections. One of the program’s most positive and unexpected outcomes has been the relationships formed among grantees—many of whom are now working together as an informal cohort to enhance outreach efforts and build lasting partnerships. The Grantee Convenings, hosted by the Water Foundation, have provided valuable opportunities for grantees to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and spend time together in person.
Detailed information about funded projects from all three rounds is available on the Water Foundation’s website. Thank you to all applicants for making this program a success!
Looking ahead, the Safe, Clean Water Program remains committed to continuing its grants program. The SCWP is currently conducting a competitive solicitation to select a qualified administrator for the next phase of the Grants Program, which will result in a temporary pause in program administration. Future iterations may look slightly different, as we explore ways to better integrate workforce development and school education grants alongside public engagement efforts, while also creating a more continuous and sustainable program structure.
Adaptive Management
Watershed Planning
The Los Angeles County Public Works Safe, Clean Water Program (SCW Program) is proud to announce the release of the Initial Watershed Plans.
The Plans are available on the SCW Program Watershed Planning Webpage. Scroll to the ‘Initial Watershed Plans & Planning Tool’ section and click on the corresponding link for the desired Watershed Area.
This release includes the following documents: SCW Program Executive Summary, Watershed Area Executive Summaries, Initial Watershed Plans, and Appendices for all nine SCW Program Watershed Areas, along with the beta version of the companion online Watershed Planning Tool.
The SCWP Watershed Planning Team hosted a virtual Project Developer Info Session on March 18, 2026. The session covered the main outputs of the Plans and how to demonstrate alignment with them in accordance with the 20th requirement of the Feasibility Study Guidelines. A recording of the Info Session is available on the SCW Program Webpage. As a reminder, an update to the Feasibility Study Guidelines (FSG) added a 20th requirement to the existing 19 FSG requirements. This new requirement will require Infrastructure Program applicants to describe how their proposed projects align with the Initial Watershed Plans and will apply to the 2026 Call for Projects period.
Additional feedback or questions can be emailed to WPPublicComment@pw.lacounty.gov.
Regional Oversight Committee
The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026. At this meeting, the ROC will receive a preview of the 2026 Call for Projects Information Session and updates on the Scientific Studies Program and SCW Municipal Program. The ROC will also consider forming an Ad-Hoc Workforce Development subcommittee. Meeting details will be posted on the ROC events webpage as they become available.
ROC members are interested in hosting meetings at various locations across Los Angeles County. If your agency or municipality is interested in hosting a meeting, please contact the Regional Oversight Committee Executive Clerk at SCWP_ROC_ExecClerk@pw.lacounty.gov to discuss logistics.
2026 SCW Program Biennial Progress Report
At the March 8, ROC meeting, the ROC voted to approve the 2026 Biennial Progress Report for submission to the Board of Supervisors. The report, along with public comments received, is available on the Adaptive Management webpage.
The Biennial Progress Report highlights both the program’s accomplishments and the substantial effort required to implement and scale such a large, complex initiative.
Regional Program
Stormwater Investment Plan Deliberations
Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) have started deliberating on the Stormwater Investment Plans (SIPs), with the goal of approving the recommended SIPs by April and transmitting them to the Regional Oversight Committee for review and approval this summer. SIPs may include new and continuing Projects (Infrastructure Program), Project Concepts (Technical Resources Program), and Scientific Studies (Scientific Studies Program).
Additional Resources:
Find Your Watershed Tool – Identify your Watershed Area
SIP Programming Tool – View the online tool
WASC Meeting Schedule – Visit the Events webpage for upcoming meetings
Project Modification Request
Project Modification Requests (PMRs) are accepted year-round. For PMR guidelines, the form, and FAQs, please visit the Guidelines for Project Modifications section on the Adaptive Management webpage.
Report on Leveraged Funding Opportunities
The latest Report on Leveraged Funding Opportunities is available. This report provides a high-level summary of recent funding policy highlights and includes a funding matrix outlining current and upcoming funding opportunities relevant to Safe, Clean Water Program infrastructure projects. An updated report will be posted quarterly for Safe, Clean Water Program participants. You can access the most recent report HERE.
Reporting Timeline
The Regional Program Reporting Timeline has transitioned from quarterly to semi-annual submittals. Starting in FY 24–25, Project and Scientific Study Developers were required to submit Mid-Year Reports, with the most recent report due on February 15, 2026.
A new Metrics & Measures section is available as a tile in the Regional Program Reporting Module. This section captures data related to project metrics across the planning, design, construction, and post-construction phases. It is designed to align with and inform Watershed Planning efforts, as well as support program-wide progress assessments.
Project Developers with projects in the planning phase should provide data predicting project performance. Developers with projects in the design, construction, or post-construction phases should report data that reflects actual design or implementation outcomes.
Municipal Program
Disbursement
Annual disbursements for FY 25–26 (Year 6) were completed in December 2025, January 2026, and March 2026 for municipalities that met all eligibility requirements. To date, 84 cities have collectively received over $99 million in Local Return funding. Annual Municipal Program disbursements are processed once a municipality has met all eligibility requirements.
Annual Plans
The SCW Program Municipal Program FY26-27 Annual Plans were due on April 1, 2026. Municipalities can use the Reporting Module Municipal Program tile to submit their Annual Plans.
Annual Reports
The SCW Program Municipal Program FY24-25 Annual Reports were due on December 31, 2025. Municipalities can use the Reporting Module Municipal Program tile to submit their Annual Reports.
District Program
K-12 Safe, Clean Water Stormwater Education Program
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District has finalized a scope of work with Brown and Caldwell to launch the SCW K-12 Education and Schoolyard Transformation Program. This effort includes benchmarking, stakeholder workshops, Schoolyard Transformation Design Guidelines, and a SCWP Education Vision Document that will help shape the future of the Program.
The Vision Document will serve as a roadmap, outlining key elements such as branding, curriculum, implementation, schoolyard transformations, metrics and evaluation, and maintenance. The Schoolyard Transformation Design Guidelines will provide practical guidance for designers, school districts, and community members, offering clear, flexible best practices that address safety, accessibility, liability, education, and maintenance considerations within existing regulatory frameworks. They will also serve as a resource to help school communities navigate roadblocks by providing adaptable solutions that keep projects moving forward while staying aligned with program goals.
A kickoff meeting was held in February, and work is officially underway. Stay tuned!
Low Income Senior Owned (LISO) and General Income Based Tax Reduction (GIBTR)
Applications for the FY26-27 Low-Income Senior-Owned (LISO)Tax Exemption and General Income-Based Tax Reduction (GIBTR) applications are due by May 1, 2026 (in-person or mailed submissions ONLY). Applications are available via the links below or you may request a hard copy by leaving your name and mailing address at the Safe, Clean Water hotline: (833) 275-7297.