Safe Clean Water Program

In 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, a special parcel tax funding the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP). This program provides local, dedicated funding to increase water supply, improve water quality and create community enhancements throughout the County while supporting compliance with federal clean water mandates and addressing climate change.

A key focus of the Safe, Clean Water Program is the concept of water capture, which involves collecting rainwater –  cleaning it, storing it and using it locally. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including nature-based solutions with a focus on a multi-benefit approach that takes into consideration how other environmental, community and economic benefits can be achieved.

The Safe, Clean Water Program’s vision, mission and goals align with the City of Los Angeles’ Sustainability Plan, which envisions a more sustainable, equitable and livable future for our region and enables Los Angeles to:

• Protect water quality
• Protect local rivers, creeks, lakes and bays
• Assist in compliance with federal, state and local water quality mandates
• Improve flood control
• Create more green space
• Reduce Los Angeles’ reliance on imported water
• Develop new water supplies, and
• Empower local communities

As the lead agency for the City of Los Angeles’ watershed management and water quality compliance programs, LA Sanitation & Environment is partnering with other City departments, the County of Los Angeles, other municipalities, regional agencies and non-governmental stakeholders to coordinate the City of Los Angeles’ Safe, Clean Water Program.

What are the goals of the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP)?
In 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, which created the Safe, Clean Water Program. This two-pronged program develops activities and implements projects on both a regional and municipal level with the following goals:

• Stop toxins and trash from flowing into local waterways
• Capture more rainfall from LA’s infrequent, yet intense, rain events
• Clean and treat this rainwater for use
• Add natural areas, shade and green space
• Improve the quality of life for Angelenos
• Protect residents against the negative effects of climate change

Isn’t the drought over? Doesn’t California have plenty of water?
During a typical rainy season, Los Angeles receives 15 inches of rain annually, but Southern California is still considered a water-scarce region. Climate change will cause future weather extremes including periods of drought. We need to protect and improve our local water resources.

How much rainwater does LA capture now? 
Los Angeles has rainwater capture projects in each of LA’s four watersheds. Many of these projects were funded by Proposition O. During a normal wet season, these projects have the potential to capture more than two billion gallons of rainwater.

What types of projects does the Safe Clean Water Program fund?
The Safe, Clean Water Program funds a myriad of multi-benefit projects throughout Los Angeles. These projects capture, clean and treat rainwater, add green space for residents, create habitat for wildlife and improve the quality of life for residents.

How much money does the Safe, Clean Water Program generate?
The Safe, Clean Water Program generates approximately $37 million annually for the city of Los Angeles from Los Angeles County property tax assessments.

How much tax do I have to pay?
The County of Los Angeles has developed a tax estimator tool, which will allow users to search by parcel number of street address. Please visit the County of Los Angeles’ Safe, Clean Water Program website for more information.

Are any residents exempt from paying for the Safe, Clean Water Program?
Residents who are 62 years of age or older and meet the low-income limit as determined annually by the California Department of Housing and Community Development may apply for a senior tax exemption. Please visit the County of Los Angeles’ Safe, Clean Water Program website for more information.

Regional Program Funding
Fifty percent of Los Angeles County’s Safe, Clean Water Program revenues are used to fund stormwater quality and capture projects, project concepts and scientific studies at the watershed level. Ten percent of the revenues are allocated for LA County Flood Control District to administer the program and oversee capacity building programs including a public education program, local workforce job training and school education programs.

Los Angeles County has designated nine local watersheds for this program, three of which (Central Santa Monica Bay, South Santa Monica Bay and Upper Los Angeles River) are within the city of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County administers an annual regional Call for Projects. To learn more about this annual program, its requirements and deadlines, please visit the Los Angeles County’s Regional Program Call for Projects web page.

Municipal Program Funding
Forty percent of Los Angeles County’s Safe, Clean Water Program’s revenues are allocated directly to municipalities, including the City of Los Angeles, to fund local stormwater projects and programs. This portion of funding is distributed to municipalities proportional to the tax revenues collected within their city boundaries.

The municipal programs and projects eligible for Safe, Clean Water Program funding include:

• The development, design and construction of rainwater capture projects
• The operation and maintenance of pre-existing projects built to comply with clean water mandates
• Any other programs, projects or studies related to improving and protecting water quality in local waterways

Municipalities are required to submit annual budgets, progress and expenditure reports to the County of Los Angeles and to participate in periodic independent audits.

For more information, please visit Los Angeles County’s Safe, Clean Water Program estimated revenues web page.

Invitation to Collaborate on Community-Proposed Projects

Each August, the City of Los Angeles (City) is pleased to announce an invitation to collaborate on community-proposed projects seeking future funding from the County of Los Angeles’ Safe Clean Water Regional Program (SCWP). The SCWP provides funding on a competitive basis for qualified projects, activities, and studies.

In order for community-based organizations, members of the community, and other non-municipal project proponents to successfully apply to LA County’s annual Call for Projects and be eligible to be considered for SCWP funding, a letter of support or a letter of non-objection must be provided by the municipality in which that project is located.

Requests for a letter of support or a letter of non-objection from the City of Los Angeles for a community-proposed SCWP project must be received by October 31. Please use the linked Intake Form to request your letter from the City of Los Angeles.

Use this link to sign up for our Mailing List and you will receive periodic updates about our program and projects.