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:
- January 14, 2026 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
Project Spotlight: MacArthur Lake Rehabilitation
Los Angeles County Public Works, in partnership with LA Sanitation (LASAN), is restoring and enhancing MacArthur Park Lake—one of Los Angeles’ Historic Cultural Monuments—by harvesting stormwater and creating an onsite natural spring. This innovative project will reintroduce natural lake processes and recreate a California native oasis in the heart of the city.
The project will improve lake water quality by removing pollutants such as trash, oil and grease, nutrients, bacteria, metals, and hydrocarbons from urban runoff to meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits for the Ballona Creek Watershed and NPDES permit requirements. Stormwater will also be diverted to the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant for treatment and beneficial reuse.
Using nature-based solutions such as bioswales and wetlands, the project will provide flood protection, expand green spaces, and create new recreational opportunities while supporting local habitats and nearby schools. Increased tree canopy and shaded areas will help mitigate urban heat island effects and improve public health outcomes in a disadvantaged community.
With $20 million in Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) funding this major City of Los Angeles project has strong community support. Construction is anticipated to begin in FY 26–27, delivering long-term environmental, recreational, and climate resilience benefits to the local 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 January 14, 2026. 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:
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.
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
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
The deadline to submit a Project Modification Request (PMR) for consideration in the FY 26-27 Stormwater Investment Plan has passed. Submitted PMRs are currently under review. WASCs will discuss PMRs that have an increased funding, scope, and/or benefit change request in the coming months as part of the development of the 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. 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
Annual disbursements for FY 24-25 (local return, Year 5) have been completed for 81 municipalities that met all eligibility requirements, totaling more than $98 million in local return funding. In addition, the initial disbursements for FY 25-26 (local return, Year 6) were issued in December 2025, with 78 cities receiving approximately $97 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.
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!