Implementation Update September 2026

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:

• September 9, 2026 – Regional Oversight Committee Meeting
• September 28, 2026 – Scoring Committee Meeting

Project Spotlight

Baldwin Lake and Tule Pond Restoration Project Groundbreaking!

LA County Flood Control District celebrated the groundbreaking of the Baldwin Lake and Tule Pond Restoration Project on September 2, 2026. The project, funded in part by SCW Program, will remove 65,000 cubic yards of sediment, restore the lake’s historic wall, install a lake liner, water quality features, new landscaped areas, a viewing deck, and interpretive signage.

This collaborative effort improves water quality, enhances wildlife habitat, strengthens flood resilience, and preserves the ecological and historic character of the LA County Arboretum. The ceremony featured remarks from key partners: Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the Arboretum Foundation, the Departments of Parks and Recreation and Public Works, and the Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians.

Strategic Advancement

Watershed Planning Initiative

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.

Scoring Revision Efforts

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.

Regional Oversight Committee

The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) meets monthly on the second Wednesday. The next meeting will be held on September 9, where the Committee will receive updates on District Program Reporting, the 2026 Biennial Progress Report’s recommendation for Interagency Task Force, and Workforce Development Subcommittee Report of Findings and Recommendations.

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

The ROC is also interested in holding meetings at various locations throughout 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..

Regional Program

2026 Call for Projects

The 2026 Call for Projects for the FY 2027-28 Stormwater Investment Plan accepted applications from June 1 through July 31. The District is currently reviewing submittals for completeness and eligibility for the Infrastructure, Technical Resources, and Scientific Studies Programs. For more information and updated guidance, please visit the Call for Projects webpage.

FY 2026-27 Stormwater Investment Plan Deliberations

Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) and the ROC recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve all nine SIPs. The Board of Supervisors is anticipated to review and approve the SIPs in October. SIPs 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

FY 2025-26 Annual Report

The Regional Program FY 2025-26 Annual Reports were due August 15, 2026. Project and Scientific Study developers can submit their progress reports through the Reporting Module. Project developers, please remember to update estimated construction schedules in progress reports as needed. The SCWP Bid and Project Schedules website uses information provided by Project developers to make estimated construction schedules and potential bid opportunities more accessible.

Project Modification Request

Project Modification Requests (PMRs) are accepted year-round. PMRs inconsistent with the approved SIPs must be submitted on or before October 31 in order to be considered for approval during the 2026 Call for Projects. For PMR guidelines, the form, and FAQs, please visit the Guidelines for Project Modifications section on the Adaptive Management webpage.

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 will lead initial project planning and design activities for selected projects that could leverage SCWP Municipal Program funds in conjunction with other funding sources. The goal is to collaboratively identify and advance regional-scale projects informed by the Watershed Plans, including convening potential partners to discuss and pursue strategic investments. This 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. If your city is interested in participating, has a project idea to discuss, or has questions, please contact SCWPMunicipal@pw.lacounty.gov.

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 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 September Workshop

The Safe, Clean Water Program will host a virtual workshop on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:30am, to provide an overview of the SCW Portal’s Municipal Program Reporting Module, including its core functionality, reporting workflows, and recent updates supporting activity tracking, Annual Plan submittals, and Annual Report submittals.

The demonstration will also cover built-in functionality for estimating Water Quality and Water Supply Benefits, Activity tracking and reporting best practices, key definitions, and helpful tips for completing reports accurately and efficiently. Available support resources will also be shared, including help desk guidance and a quick-reference Reporting Module cheat sheet.

Additional details will be available on the SCW Program website once finalized.

District Program

Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program

Grant-funded activities for all three rounds of the Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program have concluded, and final reports have been submitted. The Water Foundation, the program’s grant administrator, is currently reviewing the final reports and outcomes to capture the accomplishments and impacts of the funded projects.

As part of the Grants Program, Resource Media, one of the program’s grantees, created a series of seven videos highlighting the work of fellow grantee organizations.  The videos explore Angelenos’ current relationship with water and what local people are doing to face the ongoing challenges of aging infrastructure, pollution, drought, and water supply. We’re excited to share these stories and highlight the work made possible through the Grants Program.

Thank you to all of the grantee organizations and applicants who contributed to the success of the Grants Program!

Looking ahead, the Safe, Clean Water Program is developing a competitive solicitation to select an administrator for the next phase of the Grants Program. While there will be a temporary pause in program administration during this transition, the SCWP remains committed to continuing this important work. Future iterations of the program may look slightly different as we explore opportunities to better integrate workforce development and school education with public engagement efforts, while creating a more continuous and sustainable program structure.