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.

Project Spotlights

Strathern Park North Stormwater Capture Project – Groundbreaking Event

The Strathern Park North Stormwater Capture Project celebrated its groundbreaking on October 29, 2026. Developed through a partnership between LADWP, the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, and Recreation and Parks, the project will capture and infiltrate approximately 225 acre-feet of stormwater annually, helping replenish groundwater and improve water quality. The project will also transform underutilized park space with native landscaping, trees, educational signage, and upgraded recreational amenities, including baseball fields, batting cages, and lighting. Construction is anticipated to be completed by September 2028. The Safe, Clean Water Program has provided more than $9 million to the project.

Exploring South Gate’s Urban Orchard

On October 24, 2026, the Safe, Clean Water Program, in collaboration with the LLAR Watershed Coordinator, hosted a tour of South Gate’s Urban Orchard. The event brought together local partners and high school students to explore urban agriculture, environmental stewardship, and workforce development opportunities. Partners included the Conservation Corps of Long Beach, Trust for Public Land, the City of South Gate, Sustainable Labor Alliance, Lynwood School District, and TreePeople. Students learned about the orchard, explored a mosaic created by a local Indigenous artist, and enjoyed picking fresh fruits and vegetables. The tour also provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and explore future collaboration opportunities.

Program Highlights

Key Dates to Know:

• November 16, 2026 – Scoring Committee Meeting
• November 18, 2026 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
• December 12, 2026 – Women in the Trades Regional Summit
• December 31, 2026 – Municipal Annual Reports Due
• December 31, 2026 – Credit Program Applications Due

$152.8 M Approved for FY 2026–27 Stormwater Investment Plan

On October 20, 2026, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved $152.8 million in Safe, Clean Water Program funding for Fiscal Year 2026-27. The funding includes 24 new Infrastructure Program projects, 15 new Scientific Studies, 7 new Technical Resource Program project concepts, and 12 renewed watershed coordinator contracts. Together, these investments represent the seventh year of Regional Program implementation and support multi-benefit projects that improve water quality, increase local water supply, and provide community investment benefits. Check out the FY26-27 SIP Board Letter for details.

Regional Oversight Committee

The next Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) meeting will be held on November 18, 2026. The ROC will receive updates on the Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Pilot Program, Scoring Revisions, and the Influence of the Initial Watershed Plans.

Meeting details will be posted on the ROC Events webpage as they become available. 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.

Explore Careers in Construction at the Women in the Trades Summit

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, in partnership with Metro, LAWA, and industry leaders, will host the Women in the Trades Regional Summit on December 12, 2026, at Magic Johnson Park in Los Angeles. The event will feature educational sessions, a career and resource fair, and opportunities to learn about construction careers, apprenticeship pathways, and workforce training programs. The summit is open to all individuals, and lunch will be provided.

• Interested in attending? Register here.
• Interested in participating as an employer? Register here.

Community Engagement Grants: Reflecting on Successes and Planning for the Future

Thank you to our program administrator, the Water Foundation, and all of the grantee organizations who contributed to the success of the Grants Program! A presentation highlighting the success and outcomes of the Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program will be provided at the November 18 ROC meeting.

Looking ahead, the Safe, Clean Water Program is developing a competitive solicitation to select an administrator for the next phase of the Grants Program.

How to Get Involved in the SCWP

• Identify your Watershed Area using the Find Your Watershed Tool.
• Connect with your Watershed Coordinator for assistance and to learn more.
• Check out the Events Calendar and attend a local committee meeting or event.

Regional Project Partnership Services for 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. If your city is interested in participating, has a project idea to discuss, or has questions, please contact SCWPMunicipal@pw.lacounty.gov.

Updates and Resources

Regional Program

2026 Call for Projects: Scoring Evaluation and WASC Presentations Underway

The 2026 Call for Projects for the FY 2027–28 Stormwater Investment Plan accepted applications from June 1 through July 31. The SCWP team is currently reviewing submittals for completeness and eligibility for the Infrastructure, Technical Resources, and Scientific Studies Programs. The Scoring Committee began scoring projects (Infrastructure Program) in September. The WASCs started to receive presentations in October and will continue to receive presentations through early 2027.

Additional Resources:

• WASC Meeting Schedule – Visit the Events webpage for upcoming WASC meetings
• Scoring Committee Meetings – Visit the Events webpage for upcoming Scoring Committee meetings

FY 2026–27 Transfer Agreement Coming Soon – Start Preparing your Documents

Now that the FY 2026-27 Stormwater Investment Plans (SIPs) have been approved, the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) and Regional Program developers may begin executing FY 2026-27 Transfer Agreements and Addendums.

Improvements to the Transfer Agreement Module are being finalized to streamline the Transfer Agreement process, improve document management, and enhance tracking of Regional Program disbursements. Distribution of FY 2026-27 Transfer Agreements and Addendums are anticipated in mid-November. An informational email will be distributed to new and continuing project developers with instructions on how to use the updated Transfer Agreement functionality within the Reporting Module.

In preparation for Transfer Agreement execution, project developers are encouraged to begin gathering required supporting documentation, including scopes of work, authorizations to execute agreements, and applicable CEQA documentation.

Project Modification Request under Review by the District

Project Modification Requests (PMRs) are accepted year-round. PMRs that are inconsistent with the approved SIPs must have been submitted on or before October 31, 2026 in order to be considered for approval in the FY2027-28 Stormwater Investment Plan. For PMR guidelines, the form, and FAQs, please visit the “Guidelines for Project Modifications” section on the Adaptive Management webpage.

Planning a Groundbreaking or Ribbon Cutting? Notify SCWP in Advance

Project Developers must notify the SCWP team at least 14 days in advance of events highlighting project accomplishments, such as groundbreaking are ribbon-cutting ceremonies, in accordance with Transfer Agreement Condition B-28.3e.

To notify the SCWP team, email SafeCleanWaterLA@pw.lacounty.gov with a subject line that includes the project name, watershed area, and event type. For example: “Project Name – ULAR – Groundbreaking or Ribbon Cutting.”

If you plan to invite the Director of Los Angeles County Public Works or members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, please provide at least 30 days’ advance notice.

Municipal Program

Municipal Annual Reports due December 31, 2026

The SCW Municipal Program FY 2025–26 Annual Reports are due by December 31, 2026. Municipalities can use the Reporting Module Municipal Program tile to submit their Annual Reports.

Municipal Audit Reports due March 31, 2027

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 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 March 31, 2027.

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

Municipal Program Workshop Reporting Tools and Resources Available

The Safe, Clean Water Program hosted a virtual workshop on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to provide an overview of the SCW Portal’s Municipal Program Reporting Module, including workflows, recent updates, activity tracking, and tools for estimating water quality and water supply benefits. The workshop also shared reporting best practices, definitions, tips for efficient submittals, and available support resources. Additional details are available on the SCW Program events website.

District Program

Credit Program Applications and Recertifications Due December 31, 2026

Applications and recertifications for the Credit Program are due by December 31,2026.  Parcels with qualifying stormwater improvements and activities that provide at minimum, a water quality benefit, may be eligible. Applications and recertifications must be submitted at https://dpw.lacounty.gov/apps/scwptca/credit/.

Strategic Advancement

Learn More About the Initial Watershed Plans and Interactive Planning Tool

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

Revised 2027 Scoring Criteria and Guideline Development Underway

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.