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:
- May 14, 2026 – Call for Projects Info session
Interim Scientific Studies Program Guidelines
The SCW Program has released the Interim Scientific Studies Program Guidelines. These guidelines have been developed to define eligibility criteria, establish standards for scientific and technical rigor, and clarify how proposed studies must align with the SCW Program’s Stormwater and Urban Runoff capture and pollution reduction objectives. The guidelines provide applicants and proponents with a consistent framework for developing responsive studies. You can find the guidelines on the SCW Program website under Projects and Studies.
Program Spotlight
Milestone for MacArthur Lake Stormwater Capture Project
On April 22, 2026, Los Angeles officials marked a major milestone for the MacArthur Lake Stormwater Capture Project with a groundbreaking-style event, signaling the transition from planning to the end of the design phase. Located in the Central Santa Monica Bay Watershed Area, the project will utilize $31 million in Safe, Clean Water Regional Program funding.
This multi-benefit infrastructure project is designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff, which will then be stored in MacArthur Lake. Once complete, the system is expected to offset approximately 9 million gallons of potable water currently used to refill the lake annually, while also reducing pollutants flowing into Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay.
In addition to its water quality benefits, the project will deliver visible park enhancements, including a new pedestrian bridge, native landscaping, shade trees, seating areas, educational signage, and a decorative water feature integrated with the lake. The project also represents an important step toward revitalizing MacArthur Park, an area that has faced ongoing social and infrastructure challenges.
Construction is anticipated to begin early next year, with completion expected around Spring 2029.
Adaptive Management
Watershed Planning
The Initial Watershed 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.
The SCWP Watershed Planning Team hosted a virtual Project Developer Info Session on March 18, 2026. The session covered the main outputs of the Plans and how to demonstrate alignment with them in accordance with the 20th requirement. A recording of the Info Session is available on the SCW Program webpage. As a reminder, an update to the Feasibility Study Guidelines (FSG) added 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 apply to the 2026 Call for Projects period.
Additional feedback or questions can be emailed to WPPublicComment@pw.lacounty.gov.
Regional Oversight Committee
The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2026. At this meeting, the ROC will review the first batch of FY26-27 Stormwater Investment Plans recommended by the Watershed Area Steering Committees. The ROC will also receive an update on the District Grants Program for Engagement, Workforce Development, and K-12 Education. Meeting details will be posted on the ROC events webpage as they become available.
ROC members are interested in hosting 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.
2026 SCW Program Biennial Progress Report
At the March 8 ROC meeting, the ROC voted to approve the 2026 Biennial Progress Report for submission to the Board of Supervisors. The report, along with public comments received, is available on the Adaptive Management webpage.
The Biennial Progress Report highlights both the program’s accomplishments and the substantial effort required to implement and scale such a large, complex initiative.
Regional Program
2026 Call for Projects
The 2026 Call for Projects for the FY27-28 Stormwater Investment Plan will begin accepting applications on June 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of July 31, 2026. Call for Projects Info Sessions will be held on May 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and on May 14 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information and updated guidance, please visit the Call for Projects webpage.
Report on Leveraged Funding Opportunities
The latest Report on Leveraged Funding Opportunities is now 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.
FY 26-27 Stormwater Investment Plan Deliberations
Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) are currently deliberating on the Stormwater Investment Plans (SIPs), with the goal of approving the recommended SIPs by May and transmitting them to the Regional Oversight Committee for review and approval this summer. 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.
Reporting Timeline
The Regional Program Reporting Timeline has transitioned from quarterly to semi-annual submittals. Beginning in FY 24-25, Project and Scientific Study Developers were required to submit Mid-Year Reports, with the most recent report due on 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. Those with projects in the design, construction, or post-construction phases should report data that reflects actual design or implementation outcomes.
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 would lead initial project planning and design activities for selected projects that could leverage SCWP Municipal Program funds in conjunction with other sources. The goal is to collaboratively identify, and advance regional-scale projects informed by the Watershed Plans, which will ultimately include convening potential partners to discuss and pursue strategic investments. The 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 at this time. If your city is interested in participating, has a project idea to discuss, or has questions, please contact SCWPMunicipal@pw.lacounty.gov.
Disbursement
Annual disbursements for FY 25–26 (Year 6) were completed in December 2025, January 2026, and March 2026 for municipalities that met all eligibility requirements. To date, 84 cities have collectively received over $99 million in Local Return funding. Annual Municipal Program disbursements are processed once a municipality has met all eligibility requirements.
Annual Plans
The SCW Program Municipal Program FY26-27 Annual Plans were submitted on April 1, 2026. Municipalities can use the Reporting Module Municipal Program tile to submit their Annual Plans.
Annual Reports
The SCW Program Municipal Program FY26-27 Annual Plans were submitted on April 1, 2026. Municipalities can use the Reporting Module Municipal Program tile to submit their Annual Plans.
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, containing 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 working on a competitive solicitation to select an administrator for the next phase of the Grants Program, which 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.
K-12 Safe, Clean Water Stormwater Education Program
Work is underway on the SCW K–12 Education and Schoolyard Transformation Program. This effort includes benchmarking, stakeholder workshops, development of Schoolyard Transformation Design Guidelines, and creation of a SCWP Education Vision Document. Together, these components will help shape the program’s direction—covering key elements such as curriculum, implementation, schoolyard transformations, and long-term sustainability.
Stakeholder engagement is expected to begin soon—stay tuned for more updates!