Implementation Update July 2026

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:

• July 8, 2026 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
• July 13, 2026 – Scoring Committee Meeting

Grantee Spotlight

Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles

The Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) supports the Measure W ordinance’s Public Education and Community Engagement requirement through its Grants Pilot Program, administered in partnership with the Water Foundation. With all $8.5 million in grant funding awarded, organizations across Los Angeles County are helping residents better understand stormwater capture, watershed health, and community resilience.

One recent example comes from Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles, which hosted a community bus tour in Altadena following an educational webinar on stormwater, climate change, and community health. The tour focused on how recent wildfires have reshaped local watersheds and highlighted community-based solutions for recovery.

Participants visited Eaton Wash Dam, a residential bioremediation site, and Cobb Estate, where local experts explored the connections between wildfire recovery, stormwater management, and watershed stewardship. The tour concluded with an Indigenous-led discussion on land and water stewardship. Participants left with practical solutions, new connections, and a deeper understanding of how community partnerships can support healthier, more resilient neighborhoods across Los Angeles County.

Adaptive Management

Watershed Planning Initiative

The Initial Watershed Plans are available on the SCW Program Watershed Planning webpage. Scroll to the “Initial Watershed Plans & Planning Tool” section and click the corresponding link for the desired Watershed Area.

Project Developer Info Session

The SCW Program Watershed Planning Team hosted a virtual Project Developer Info Session on March 18. The session covered the key outputs of the Initial Watershed Plans and explained how to demonstrate alignment with them in accordance with the newly added 20th requirement.  This requirement supplements the existing 19 Feasibility Study Guidelines (FSGs) and will apply to the 2026 Call for Projects. A recording of the Info Session is available on the SCW Program webpage.  

Scoring Revision Survey

As part of the Safe, Clean Water Program’s Adaptive Management efforts, revisions to the Feasibility Study Guidelines and Scoring Criteria for the 2027 Call for Projects are currently underway. We are gathering input to evaluate and improve the Guidelines and Criteria and kindly request your feedback through the 10-minute Safe, Clean Water Program 2027 Scoring Revision Survey by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026. Thank you in advance for sharing your time and insight.

Regional Oversight Committee

The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting is scheduled for July 8. At this meeting, the ROC will review the second batch of FY 2026-27 Stormwater Investment Plans recommended by the Watershed Area Steering Committees. Meeting details will be posted on the ROC Events webpage as they become available.

The ROC is interested in holding 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.

Regional Program

2026 Call for Projects

The 2026 Call for Projects for the FY 2027-28 Stormwater Investment Plan began accepting applications on June 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of July 31, 2026. Call for Projects Info Sessions were held on May 13 and May 14. For more information and updated guidance, please visit the Call for Projects webpage. 

FY 26-27 Stormwater Investment Plan Deliberations

Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) have approved the recommended Stormwater Investment Plans (SIPs) and have transmitted five SIPs to the Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) for consideration. The remaining four SIPs will be transmitted to the ROC for review and approval this month. SIPs may include new and previously approved projects (Infrastructure Program), project concepts (Technical Resources Program), and scientific studies (Scientific Studies Program).

Additional Resources:

• SIP Programming Tool – View the online tool
• WASC Meeting Schedule – Visit the Events webpage for upcoming meetings
• Find Your Watershed Tool – Identify your Watershed Area

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.

Municipal Program

Notification to all Municipalities

The Safe, Clean Water Program is now offering regional project partnership services to municipalities that have an updated City Services Contract with Los Angeles County Public Works. As part of this effort, Public Works will lead initial project planning and design activities for selected projects that could leverage SCWP Municipal Program funds in conjunction with other funding sources. The goal is to collaboratively identify and advance regional-scale projects informed by the Watershed Plans, including convening potential partners to discuss and pursue strategic investments. This effort will require close coordination with municipalities on project development, funding, and implementation.

Please note that services are currently limited to initial project planning and design. If your city is interested in participating, has a project idea to discuss, or has questions, please contact SCWPMunicipal@pw.lacounty.gov. 

Audit Reports

As required under the Municipal Program Transfer Agreement and Chapters 16 and 18 of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District Code, municipalities are responsible for obtaining an independent audit within nine months following the end of each three-year period. Audit reports should detail expenditures from the preceding three fiscal years and determine compliance with the Transfer Agreement and all applicable requirements under Chapters 16 and 18 of the District Code. Audit reports for Fiscal Years 2023–24, 2024–25, and 2025–26 are due by March 31, 2027.

For your reference, please see this Statement of Work Template, which contains the minimum reporting requirements for audit reports.

District Program

Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program

Grant-funded projects from all three rounds are currently underway, supporting public education and community engagement efforts across the region. Detailed information about funded projects 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 developing a competitive solicitation to select an administrator for the next phase of the Grants Program.  This 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.