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:
- March 11, 2026 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
- March 18, 2026 – Initial Watershed Plans Developer Info Session
Project Spotlight: North Sepulveda Pedestrian Island Groundbreaking
On February 5th, the City of Los Angeles held a groundbreaking ceremony for the North Sepulveda Pedestrian Island (Sepulveda Green Median) Project. Led by the City of Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment, the project will transform an existing 1,300-foot median along North Sepulveda Boulevard, between Haynes Street and Lemay Street, in Council District 6, into a safe, accessible urban green corridor.
Located in a Disadvantaged Community prone to flooding, the project will add a 5-foot concrete walkway, landscaped buffer with 27 new trees, ADA-compliant ramps, and improved access near the Metro bus stop. Funded by the Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Water Program, the project enhances pedestrian safety and connectivity while providing improved water quality to the Los Angeles River by reducing trash, nutrients, metals, and bacteria in support of the Los Angeles River Bacteria TMDL compliance.
Adaptive Management
Watershed Planning
The Los Angeles County Public Works Safe, Clean Water Program (SCW Program) is proud to announce the release of the Initial Watershed Plans.
The Plans are available on the SCW Program Watershed Planning Webpage. Scroll to the ‘Initial Watershed Plans & Planning Tool’ section and click on the corresponding link for the desired Watershed Area.
This release includes the following documents: SCW Program Executive Summary, Watershed Area Executive Summaries, Initial Watershed Plans, and Appendices for all nine SCW Program Watershed Areas, along with the beta version of the companion online Watershed Planning Tool.
The SCWP Watershed Planning Team will be hosting a virtual Project Developer Info Session about the elements of the Initial Watershed Plans on March 18, 2026.
As a reminder, an update to the Feasibility Study Guidelines (FSG) adds a 20th requirement to the existing 19 FSG Requirements. This new requirement will require Infrastructure Program applicants to describe how their proposed projects align with the Initial Watershed Plans and will be required for the 2027 Call for Projects period.
Additional feedback or questions may be emailed to WPPublicComment@pw.lacounty.gov.
Regional Oversight Committee
The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting will be on March 11, 2026. At this meeting, the ROC will consider approval of the 2026 Biennial Progress Report and its submittal to the Board of Supervisors. The meeting will also include an update on Workforce Development efforts and the Regional Program. 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 a 30-day public comment period. Stakeholders and the public were invited to submit comments, and the public comment period closed on February 14, 2026.
The Biennial Progress Report highlights both the accomplishments and the substantial efforts required to implement and scale such a large, complex initiative.
Please save the date for the final 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) have received presentations from eligible Project (Infrastructure Program), Project Concept (Technical Resources Program), and Scientific Studies (Scientific Studies Program) applicants. WASCs will begin deliberating on the Stormwater Investment Plans (SIPs) this month, with the goal of approving the recommended SIPs by April and transmitting them to the Regional Oversight Committee for review and approval this summer.
Additional Resources:
Find Your Watershed Tool – Identify your Watershed Area
SIP Programming Tool – View the online tool
WASC Meeting Schedule – Visit the Events webpage for upcoming meetings
Project Modification Request
As part of the Stormwater Investment Plan deliberations, WASCs will also evaluate Project Modification Requests (PMRs) that include requested increases in funding or changes to scope and/or benefits. For PMR guidelines, the 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 were required to submit Mid-Year Reports, with the most recent Mid-Year Report due this past 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.
District Program
Safe, Clean Water K-12 Stormwater Education Program
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District has finalized a scope of work with Brown and Caldwell to launch the SCW K-12 Education and Schoolyard Transformation Program. This effort includes benchmarking, stakeholder workshops, Schoolyard Transformation Design Guidelines, and a SCWP Education Vision Document that will shape the future of the Program.
The Vision Document will serve as a roadmap to help us plan the program’s direction and where it’s headed by outlining key elements such as branding, curriculum, implementation, schoolyard transformations, metrics and evaluation, and maintenance. The Schoolyard Transformation Design Guidelines will be a practical guidance for designers, school districts, and community members, offering clear, flexible best practices that address safety, accessibility, liability, education, and maintenance considerations within existing regulatory frameworks. It will serve as a resource to help school communities navigate roadblocks by providing adaptable solutions that keep projects moving forward while staying aligned with program goals.
A kickoff meeting was held in February, and work is officially underway. Stay tuned!
Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program – GRANT FUNDED ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY
The Los Angeles 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!