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:
- December 10, 2025 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
- December 15, 2025 – Scoring Committee Meeting
Safe, Clean Water’s first Science Symposium
The Safe, Clean Water Program’s first Science Symposium, held on November 12, 2025, highlighted new research and innovations in stormwater management. The event featured dynamic presentations and a panel discussion with leading experts, offering insights into completed and ongoing studies aimed at improving water quality and advancing treatment technologies. A video recording of the Science Symposium has been made available HERE.
Project Spotlight: Hermosillo Park
The City of Norwalk hosted their Groundbreaking Ceremony on December 6 to mark the start of the Hermosillo Park Stormwater Capture and Infiltration Project construction. The Project will enhance the existing park and provide multiple benefits, including stormwater capture, expanded recreational opportunities, and reduced heat-island effects for the surrounding communities, including Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) within the project’s tributary area.
With over $30 million from the Safe, Clean Water Program’s Regional Program, along with other leveraged funding, the City of Norwalk aims to install an 11.8-acre-foot subsurface infiltration gallery with water-recovery capabilities. New soccer fields will be constructed above the treatment system, replacing the existing deteriorated grass areas. The park will also feature a new community center, a walking trail, and native, drought-tolerant landscaping.
Regional Oversight Committee
The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting will be on December 10, 2025. The meeting will include a discussion of the DRAFT 2026 SCWP Biennial Progress Report and initiation of the 30-day Public Comment Period. Meeting details will be posted on the ROC events webpage as they become available.
Please save the following date for the remaining ROC meeting related to the 2026 Biennial Progress Report:
February 11, 2026 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) – Approval of the Final 2026 Biennial Progress Report for submission to the County Board of Supervisors.
ROC members are looking to host their 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 the logistics.
Regional Program
Call for Projects
The current Call for Projects (Infrastructure Program), Project Concepts (Technical Resources Program), and Studies (Scientific Studies Program) are currently closed, and applications have been reviewed for completeness to ensure eligibility. Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) voted to send Infrastructure Program Projects that are deemed complete to the Scoring Committee for scoring. Scores will determine a Project’s eligibility to be considered by the respective WASC. For information on the Scoring Committee, including upcoming meetings, please visit the Scoring Committee webpage HERE.
Project Modification Request
The deadline to submit a Project Modification Request (PMR) for consideration in the FY 26-27 Stormwater Investment Plan has passed. For the guidelines, 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 are required to submit Mid-Year Reports, with the next Mid-Year report due February 15, 2026. The new Metrics & Measures section is also 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, while those with projects in the design, construction, or post-construction phases should report data that reflects actual design or implementation outcomes.
Adaptive Management
Watershed Planning
The Draft Initial Watershed Plans are available on the Watershed Planning webpage of the Safe, Clean Water Program website. For more details, please refer to the Initial Watershed Plan Fact Sheet. The Watershed Planning Team is currently working on updating the Initial Watershed Plans and the online companion Watershed Planning Tool (currently in beta version). Both are scheduled to launch in early 2026.
For questions regarding the Watershed Planning effort, please email: WatershedPlanning@pw.lacounty.gov.
Municipal Program
Fifth (FY 24-25) Municipal Disbursement
The annual disbursements for FY 2024-25 (local return for year 5) have been completed for municipalities that met all eligibility requirements. A total of 77 cities received over $95 million collectively in local return. Disbursements for FY2025-26 will begin in early December for municipalities that have fulfilled all eligibility criteria.
District Program
Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program – GRANT FUNDED ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY
The LA County Flood Control District is partnering with the Water Foundation to administer the Safe, Clean Water Program Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program. This collaboration supports impactful education and outreach efforts focused on stormwater management and urban runoff capture across the region.
The Grants Program received an overwhelming response, with a high volume of strong and competitive applications. A total of $8.5 million of grant funding has been allocated across 52 approved projects, and proposed grant activities are underway. 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!