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Implementation Update November 2025

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:

Safe, Clean Water’s first Science Symposium

The Safe, Clean Water Program is proud to host its first Science Symposium on November 12, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The event will highlight the latest findings and share updates from completed and ongoing research across the program, showcasing regional science that is improving stormwater quality and advancing treatment technologies.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with researchers and listen to an exciting panel discussion featuring renowned experts who will explore the future of stormwater science.

A webpage dedicated to the Science Symposium, containing all completed Scientific Studies reports, has been created and posted on the Safe, Clean Water website. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendees, and space is limited. Register HERE to secure your spot!

Regional Oversight Committee

The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting is on December 10, 2025. 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:

February 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

The current Call for Projects (Infrastructure Program), Project Concepts (Technical Resources Program), and Studies (Scientific Studies Program) closed on July 31. Applications are currently under review for completeness. Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) voted to send Infrastructure Program Projects that are deemed complete to the Scoring Committee for scoring. Scores will determine a Project’s eligibility to be considered by the respective WASC. Please visit the Scoring Committee webpage for details.

Project Modification Request

The deadline to submit a Project Modification Request (PMR) for consideration in the FY 26-27 Stormwater Investment Plan was October 31, 2025. 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 most recent annual report being due on August 15th, 2025. 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 public comment period for the Draft Initial Watershed Plans is now closed. Over 400 individual comments, touching on a variety of plan-related subjects. The Watershed Planning Team is very appreciative of the many thoughtful comments and inquiries submitted, which will be considered for the published versions of the Plans and beyond.

The Draft Initial Watershed Plans are available on the Watershed Planning webpage of the Safe, Clean Water Program website. For more information on the Draft Initial Watershed Plans, please refer to the Initial Watershed Plan Fact Sheet.  The Watershed Planning Team will be presenting on the Plans and leading facilitated discussions at WASC Meetings until mid-November. Updated Plans will be published, and the online companion Watershed Planning Tool (currently in beta version) will launch in early 2026.

For questions regarding the Watershed Planning effort, please email us at WatershedPlanning@pw.lacounty.gov.

Municipal Program

Fifth (FY 24-25) Municipal Disbursement 

The annual disbursements for FY 24-25 (local return for year 5) have been completed for municipalities that met all eligibility requirements. A total of 77 cities received over $95 million collectively in local return. Disbursements from the Annual Municipal Program are processed once a municipality fulfills all 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.  Round 1 awarded 15 grant proposals totaling approximately $3.1 million. Round 2 funded 19 proposals with approximately $3 million, and Round 3 funded 18 proposals with approximately $2.3 million. Detailed information about funded projects from all three rounds is available on the Water Foundation’s website. These projects are already making a positive impact across LA County communities.

Thank you to all applicants for making this program a success!

Landcover Survey Update

The Safe, Clean Water Program’s Landcover Survey was updated for FY 25-26. This Landcover Survey provides the aerial imagery used to calculate your parcel’s Safe, Clean Water Tax. Although the tax rate (2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable area) has not changed, your parcel’s impermeable area may have changed.

Please refer to your FY 25-26 Los Angeles County Annual Property Tax Bill to see your own parcel tax amount. Each parcel’s impermeable area – as determined by the latest Landcover Survey – is anticipated to remain in effect until the next Landcover Survey update, approximately once every three years.

If you believe there is an error in your Safe, Clean Water Tax, you may submit an appeal using the online Appeals Tool HERE. Please note that appeals determined to be valid are only valid until the next Landcover Survey update.

For questions or concerns, please email us at safecleanwaterla@pw.lacounty.gov or contact us by phone at 833-ASK-SCWP (833-275-7297).