Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program – NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
Skip to content
Safe Clean Water Program logo

Implementation Update July 2024

The Safe, Clean Water Program funds stormwater initiatives that improve water quality, increase our local water supply, and provide community benefits, like green spaces and parks. The program cultivates regional and community partnerships and prioritizes historically underserved communities.

This newsletter provides important updates on the Regional, Municipal, and District Programs, designed to help our community stay informed and engaged. For further information on regional proposals, including those that are funded and under consideration, please visit our projects webpage.

We look forward to our ongoing collaboration as we remain dedicated to implementing and refining the Safe, Clean Water Program. Your input and feedback are crucial to us, and we appreciate your valuable opinions. Feel free to share any comments or questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Key Dates to Know

Project Highlight

Adventure Park Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture Project is under construction. The multi-benefit project at Adventure Park in unincorporated area of Whittier aims to improve water quality and supply while enhancing the park area. The project will collect and treat runoff from Sorenson Drain, storing it underground and sending some to the sewer system for further treatment and reuse. Additionally, the project will include recreational improvements such as new athletic fields and natural enhancements like planting more trees and installing bioswales with native species for water quality treatment.

Adaptive Management

Watershed Planning

In alignment with Supervisor Horvath’s motion to Accelerate the SCW Program, the SCW Program has initiated Watershed Planning efforts to facilitate regional and watershed-based planning that identifies project opportunity areas and refines Population Indicators (i.e., targets) that will support strategic investment.

A series of workshops will be scheduled with various interested parties and the governance committees to inform and gather input/feedback about the effort to establish Initial Watershed Plans, starting with one of our primary collaborators, the Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs).  In their upcoming meetings, the WASCs will learn more about the watershed planning effort and lend their expertise to help identify watershed area capabilities, priorities, and strategies through facilitated workshops.

A new SCW Program Watershed Planning Section has been created to lead this important effort. You may contact them at watershedplanning@pw.lacounty.gov

Metrics and Monitoring Study

The Metrics and Monitoring Study (MMS) is finished and will help improve the Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program. Some of its recommendations are already being put into action, and others are being considered through watershed planning. The study aimed to develop new ways to measure and monitor our stormwater efforts, with the goal of making better decisions and maximizing benefits for everyone involved. Please join us for an MMS Info Session that is scheduled for July 25, 2024, at 9:00 am to hear more about the study and next steps.

REGIONAL PROGRAM

Board Correspondence

At their May 7, 2024 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Horvath to make amendments to the Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program Ordinance Regarding Frequency of Administrative Reporting and Calls for Infrastructure Projects. This motion authorizes the Chief Engineer of the Flood Control District to request Call For Projects on either an annual or biennial basis. The motion can be read HERE.

On June 20, 2024, Public Works reported on the progress and timeline for completing 15 items related to the adaptive management of the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP), as instructed by the Board’s motion on March 19, 2024. All items are on schedule to be completed by June 2025 as directed. The report can be reviewed HERE.

Round 6 Call for Projects

The current call for Project Concepts to the Technical Resources Program and Study proposals to the Scientific Studies Program closes July 31, 2024.

The SCW Program hosted a Call for Project Information Session on June 26, 2024, from 9:30am to 11:30am. You may view the presentation HERE and the recording HERE

Click HERE to learn more about the application process and access important references & resources. If you need assistance, Watershed Coordinators are available to support and educate applicants on every step of the process, from application to implementation. Do you know your watershed coordinator? If not, we have a tool to help you find out.

Once you’re ready, your application can be submitted through the SCW Portal below!

Click HERE to submit an application. 

Regional Oversight Committee

The ROC conducts regular meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will occur on July 10th and will focus on review of Stormwater Investment Plans. You may review the SIPs HERE.  All are welcome to join virtually or in-person. Additional meeting details will be posted ROC events webpage as they become available.

The ROC members want to host their meetings in different locations throughout Los Angeles County. If your Agency or Municipality wants to host a meeting, please email the Regional Oversight Committee Executive Clerk at SCWP_ROC_ExecClerk@pw.lacounty.gov

Reporting Timeline

Starting July 1, 2024, Regional Program reporting will transition from Quarterly to semi-annual submittals. The SCW Program will send an email to all Project Developers soon. 

Report on Leveraged Funding Opportunities 

The funding report includes a high-level overview of recent funding policy highlights and includes a funding matrix that shares currently active and upcoming funding opportunities that may be relevant to SCW Program infrastructure projects. This is the first of what will be provided quarterly for participants in the SCW Program. You may read the funding report HERE.

Municipal Program

Annual Plans

Municipal annual plans were due April 1, 2024, via the Reporting Module.  Annual Plans and Reports for previous years are available HERE.

Renewal of Municipal Transfer Agreements

The SCW Program is currently working on updates to the Reporting Module to streamline the renewal process for the Municipal Transfer Agreements (TAs).  These updates are anticipated to be completed before the current TAs expire. Please note that SCW Program Payments will generally be available for disbursement by December 31 based on timing of revenues actually collected by the SCW Program.  Therefore, any minor delays in renewal of the Transfer Agreement are not expected to affect eligibility or the schedule for the disbursement of funds.

DISTRICT PROGRAM

Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program

Safe, Clean Water is partnering with the Water Foundation to develop and administer a Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program.  The program will support education and community engagement efforts related to stormwater and urban runoff capture within the LA County Flood Control District.  The Grants Program is in the early development stages and is expected to formally launch in September 2024.  We encourage all eligible parties to apply for funding. Additionally, we encourage all interested parties to participate in the program design process by attending one of two public input sessions. Public Input Sessions are scheduled for Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 9am and Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 4:30pm. Note that Zoom registration is requested. Complete the Water Foundation’s interest form to receive updates on program development and rollout. You may complete the interest form HERE.

Interested in tracking the Safe, Clean Water Program Watershed Coordination events happening in your community? Check out the new website calendar feature to find events near you.