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:
- October 8, 2025 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
- October 20, 2025 – Scoring Committee Meeting
- October 27, 2025 – Scoring Committee Meeting
- October 31, 2025 – Project Modification Request Deadline
City of Los Angeles Policy on Community-Proposed SCWP Projects
The City of Los Angeles has implemented a new policy for community-proposed Safe, Clean Water Program projects in the Central Santa Monica Bay, Upper Los Angeles River, and South Santa Monica Bay Watershed Areas. This policy applies to projects proposed by nonprofits, community groups, and other non-municipal Safe, Clean Water Program applicants.
To move forward, applicants must first request a Letter of Support or Letter of Non-Objection from the City by submitting an intake form approximately nine months before the Safe, Clean Water program Call for Projects July 31st deadline. The deadline for the intake form is expected to be October 31st each year.
Applications include key details such as project scope, location, community benefits, operation and maintenance plans, estimated costs, and inclusion in a regional water quality improvement plan. This process helps ensure projects are reviewed fairly and are supported by relevant City departments. The policy will also improve watershed coordination and understanding of projects being proposed within the City of Los Angeles.
Visit the City of LA’s website for more information.
Regional Oversight Committee
The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) holds meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The next ROC meeting is on October 8, 2025. The meeting will include a high-level review and discussion of the initial DRAFT of the 2026 Safe, Clean Water program Biennial Progress Report, focusing on the implementation of the program. The ROC will also receive a general overview of public comments submitted on the draft Initial Watershed Plans. Meeting details will be posted on the ROC events webpage as they become available.
Please save the new dates for all remaining ROC meetings related to the 2026 Biennial Progress Report:
December 10, 2025 (1:00 – 4:00 PM) – Presentation of the Draft 2026 Biennial Progress Report and initiation of the 30-day Public Comment Period.
February 11, 2026 (1:00 – 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 is October 31, 2025. For the guidelines, form, and FAQs, please visit the Guidelines for Project Modifications section on the Adaptive Management webpage. Please note that PMR form submittals are now required to be submitted through the recently updated Reporting Module.
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.
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 ended on September 28, 2025. The Watershed Planning Team is very appreciative of the many thoughtful comments and inquiries submitted, which will be compiled and considered when updating the Plans.
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. At the October and November WASC Meetings, the Watershed Planning Team will be returning to present on the Plans and lead a facilitated discussion. 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 have begun. 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).