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:
- February 11, 2026 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
- February 15, 2026 – Regional Program Mid-Year Report due
Project Spotlight: Via Princessa Park and Regional BMP Project
The City of Santa Clarita hosted their Groundbreaking Ceremony on Thursday, January 22, 2026, to mark the start of construction for the Via Princessa Park and Regional BMP Project. The project will enhance the existing park and provide multiple benefits, including stormwater capture, expanded recreational opportunities, improved waterway access, reduced heat island effects, and benefits for the surrounding communities, including Disadvantaged Communities.
With over $20 million from the Safe, Clean Water Program’s Regional Program, along with other leveraged funding, the City of Santa Clarita aims to build a regional stormwater infiltration facility and restore existing channels to improve water quality and provide an annual average of 674 acre-feet of water supply. New athletic fields, pickleball courts, a playground, walking trails, and other recreational spaces will be constructed to provide additional benefits to the community.
Regional Oversight Committee
The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting will be on February 11, 2026. The meeting will preview the Initial Watershed Plans and share updates on the Safe, Clean Water Stormwater School Education and Greening Guidelines. Meeting details will be posted on the ROC events webpage as they become available.
ROC members are interested in hosting 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.
2026 SCW Program Biennial Progress Report
At the January 14 ROC meeting, the ROC discussed the DRAFT 2026 Biennial Progress Report and opened the 30-day public comment period. All stakeholders and the public are invited to submit comments during the public comment period from January 15 to February 14, 2026.
Public comments can be submitted via the Public Comment Form. If you would like to submit your comments in the form of a document, please email it to SafeCleanWaterLA@pw.lacounty.gov with the subject line: “2026 SCWP Biennial Report Public Comment”. You may review the full report HERE.
The Biennial Progress Report highlights both the accomplishments and the substantial efforts involved in scaling such a large and complex initiative.
Please save the following date for the remaining ROC meeting related to the 2026 Biennial Progress Report:
March 11, 2026 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) – Approval of the Final 2026 Biennial Progress Report for submission to the County Board of Supervisors.
Regional Program
Stormwater Investment Plan Deliberations
Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) are receiving presentations from eligible Project (Infrastructure Program), Project Concept (Technical Resources Program), and Scientific Studies (Scientific Studies Program) applicants. WASCs will deliberate on the Stormwater Investment Plans in the coming months. For information on upcoming WASC meetings, please visit the Events webpage HERE. You may identify your Watershed Area using the Find Your Watershed Tool HERE.
Project Modification Request
WASCs will discuss Project Modification Requests (PMRs) that have an increased funding, scope, and/or benefit change request in the coming months for consideration in the FY 26-27 Stormwater Investment Plan. 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. 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 February 2026.
For questions regarding the Watershed Planning effort, please email: WatershedPlanning@pw.lacounty.gov.
Municipal Program
Municipal Disbursements
Annual disbursements for FY 24-25 (Year 5) have been completed for 84 municipalities that met all eligibility requirements, totaling approximately $100 million in local return funding. In addition, the second disbursement for FY 25-26 annual payments (Year 6) were issued in January 2026, with 82 cities receiving approximately $99 million. Disbursements are ongoing as remaining municipalities meet 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.
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!