Q:
What is the Safe, Clean Water Program?
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District’s (District) Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP) is a one-of-a-kind program that invests approximately $280 million annually into multi-benefit stormwater capture projects and programs. The SCWP is designed to clean and conserve billions of gallons of stormwater that would otherwise be lost to the ocean when it rains, and to do so in a manner that improves the livability and resilience of LA County’s communities through development of green space, recreational opportunities, and other enhancements. The SCWP strongly promotes regional collaboration, prioritizes investment in disadvantaged communities, and favors projects that employ nature-based elements.
In 2018, property owners within the LA County Flood Control District (District) voted on a ballot measure, Measure W, that created the SCWP and allowed for the collection of a special parcel tax of 2.5 cent ($0.025) per square foot of impermeable area. This tax is levied on more than 2.1 million parcels within the District’s boundary to generate a dedicated revenue source to help address water resilience challenges. Robust tax relief options were also built into the SCWP for qualifying parcel owners including low-income seniors.
Q:
What issues does the Safe, Clean Water Program address?
Like other California regions, LA County is confronted by an array of water resilience challenges, including polluted waterways, the impacts of climate change such as more frequent and severe droughts, limited and aging infrastructure, and a dependence on imported water. Additionally, the County and the 86 municipalities within the District, are mandated to develop infrastructure projects to improve stormwater quality and reduce pollution as part of the region’s compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act.
These are regional issues requiring a regional approach.
Much of LA County is covered in impermeable area, surfaces such as rooftops and roads where water cannot soak into the ground. When water hits these surfaces, it runs off, often collecting trash and pollutants that flow, untreated, into the region’s rivers, lakes, streams, and the Pacific Ocean. Capturing and cleaning up this stormwater is difficult and expensive, requiring significant investments to protect and improve local water resources.
Q:
What does the Safe, Clean Water Program fund?
The Safe, Clean Water Program funds projects and programs that:
- Implement a new plan for L.A.’s water system to capture the billions of gallons of water that are currently lost to the ocean each year;
- Help protect rivers, streams, coastal waters and beaches from the trash and contaminants in stormwater that make people sick and threaten marine life;
- Modernize the 100-year-old water system infrastructure, using a combination of nature, science, and new technology;
- Help protect public health, ensuring safer, greener, healthier, and more livable spaces for all;
- Prepare the region for the effects of a changing climate — including recurring cycles of drought, wildfire, and flooding.
These projects can be large stormwater capture facilities that infiltrate into groundwater, store and treat water before releasing the cleaner water to downstream rivers, or diversion projects that transport stormwater to existing sewer treatment plants for recycling, creating a new source of water supply. The program prioritizes projects that utilize nature-based solutions, projects that use natural processes to mimic the natural water cycle by slowing, detaining, infiltrating or filtering stormwater.
Q:
What investments have been made to date?
SCWP revenue, collected annually, is managed by the District and allocated amongst three programs: 50% (≈$141M) for a Regional Program to support regional projects, 40% (≈$112M) for a Municipal Program that returns funds directly to municipalities in proportion to the taxes collected within their jurisdiction, and 10% (≈$28M) for a District Program that supports public education and engagement, curriculum for local schools, workforce development, and overall SCWP management and oversight.
As of January 2023, $670M in Regional Program funding has been allocated to 101 Projects, 14 scientific studies, 41 Feasibility Studies, and 12 Watershed Coordinators across the 9 Watershed Areas have been funded. This includes $530M towards projects benefitting disadvantaged communities, and also leverages an additional $542M from other funding sources. Information about the planned and funded projects by watershed area and fiscal year is available on the District’s online Stormwater Investment Plan tool (https://portal.safecleanwaterla.org/sip-tool/). For the Regional Program, an annual Call for Projects is conducted to solicit project proposals, the fourth of which closed on July 31, 2022.
The Municipal Program 40% local return is distributed annually to the 86 municipalities within the District boundaries. This funding is utilized by the municipalities for development of their own local multi-benefit stormwater capture projects and programs and may be used to contribute to regional-scale projects.
Q:
How can a project be considered for Regional Program or Municipal Program funding?
The Regional Program solicits applications for three categories: (1) an Infrastructure Program to fund a Multi-Benefit project that has completed a Feasibility Study, (2) a Technical Resources Program to fund the development of a Multi-Benefit Project concept into a Feasibility Study-eligible project, and (3) a Scientific Study Program to fund studies related to increasing stormwater or urban runoff capture and/or reducing stormwater pollution.
Applicants requesting funding in any of these programs can submit an application through the Regional Program Project Module (https://portal.safecleanwaterla.org/projects-module/login). Specific requirements for submittals and the application process timelines are on the Call for Projects website page (https://newsite.lacounty.gov/call-for-projects/) and in the Regional Program Funding Process Handbook (https://newsite.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SCWP-Regional-Program-Funding-Process-2022-December.pdf).
The Regional Program provides Watershed Coordinators as a resource to connect potential project applicants with technical resources, building inclusion and meaningful engagement in pursuit of SCWP goals. Additional information, including Watershed Coordinator roles and responsibilities and the current Watershed Coordinator roster and contact information is located on the website (https://newsite.lacounty.gov/watershed-coordinators/).
Municipal Program funding is at the discretion of the respective municipality, which may use funds for eligible activities such as project development, design, construction, effectiveness monitoring, operations and maintenance (including operation and maintenance of projects built to comply with 2012 MS4 permits), as well as for other programs and studies related to protecting and improving water quality in lakes, rivers and ocean. Additional information can be found in the Handbook for Municipalities (https://newsite.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Handbook-for-Municipalities-202206.pdf).
Q:
Does the Safe, Clean Water Program help municipalities comply with the federal Clean Water Act?
Yes. Los Angeles County, local municipalities and local water agencies have developed high-priority projects to capture and clean stormwater to comply with the Clean Water Act. Unfortunately, many of these projects lack funding. The Safe Clean Water Program supports meeting standards for clean water.
Q:
How are decisions made related to investments funded by the Safe, Clean Water Program?
The Safe, Clean Water Program has 170 committee members including 11 Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) members, 6 Scoring Committee members, and 17 Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) members who serve on each of the 9 WASCs (153 total WASC members across the Program).
The ROC is made up of Board-appointed subject matter experts that are responsible for assessing whether Safe, Clean Water Program goals are being met. The ROC reviews Stormwater Investment Plans to evaluate whether proposed projects support Program goals, maintains proper balance of multi-benefit projects, and steers future processes. The ROC is responsible for identifying broad issues that require attention, identifying projects to consider in the future, and raising specific items to be addressed in reporting. The ROC also reviews progress and expenditure reports annually, summarizes these reports biennially, and holds public hearings to obtain feedback on the Program.
The Scoring Committee is made up of 6 Board-appointed subject matter experts that coordinate with District staff to review and finalize scoring for projects that are being considered for funding as part of the Regional Program by each WASC.
The WASCs meet regularly to develop funding plans for their respective watersheds (Stormwater Investment Plans) and provide recommendations for how to provide water quality, water supply, and community enhancement benefits for the region. The WASCs have diverse representation from Municipalities, agencies, community stakeholders (e.g., business, environmental, environmental justice, and at-large seats).
Current membership in each of the governance committees and additional information on roles and responsibilities can be found on the Safe, Clean Water website on their respective pages.
Q:
What are the next steps for implementing the program?
In 2023:
- Year 4 Regional Program Stormwater Investment Plans are anticipated to go to the Board in the summer and the Year 5 Call for Projects is scheduled to close on July 31st.
- The District is advancing a Metrics and Monitoring Study (MMS) to help develop metrics and monitoring criteira through broad stakeholder involvement and extensive technical research and modeling. The study is scheduled to conclude in late 2023.
- Ongoing engagement and events (see calendar https://www.redesign.la/scwpcalendar)
Q:
When will a call for projects be issued and by whom?
The District, on behalf of the Watershed Area Steering Committees, announces the annual call for projects. Detailed information can be found at https://newsite.lacounty.gov/call-for-projects/
Q:
How does the program help disadvantaged communities?
Regional Infrastructure Program Funds must be allocated such that funding for projects that provide benefits to Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) are at least 110% of the ratio of the DAC population to the total population in each Watershed Area.
The District will administer public education, school education, and local workforce job training programs throughout the region, with special attention toward the needs of DACs. Not less than 20% annually of District Program funds will be allocated for these programs over a revolving five-year period.
Q:
What is the difference between Measure W and Measure A, Proposition O, Measure H and Measure M?
The Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W) provides local, dedicated funding to increase water supply, improve water quality, and provide community enhancements throughout LA County.
The Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Protection Measure of 2016 (Measure A) provides funding to maintain parks, beaches, recreation and open space in LA County. Measure A was developed to replace the expiring dedicated parks funding from Propositions A of 1992 and 1996.
Proposition O – Clean Water bond, passed in 2004, allowed the City of Los Angeles to authorize a one-time $500 million of general obligation bonds for projects that protect public health and the environment by cleaning pollution in the City’s watercourses, rivers, lakes, beaches, and ocean. Proposition O monies can only be applied within the City of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative (Measure H) is a revenue stream to fund services, rental subsidies and housing to combat homelessness in LA County.
Measure M was passed by voters in 2016 to fund projects to ease traffic, repair local streets and sidewalks, expand public transportation, earthquake retrofit bridges and subsidize transit fares for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
Q:
What is my tax?
A tax estimator tool has been developed to allow users to search by parcel number or street address. Please visit http://egisgcx.isd.lacounty.gov/bos/m/?viewer=SafeCleanWaterLA and follow the instructions on the left panel of the page.
Q:
Water does not run off my property. Why am I being taxed?
The Safe, Clean Water parcel tax is calculated based on the amount of total impermeable area on each parcel, which includes constructed surfaces such as buildings, sidewalks, driveways, asphalt, concrete, pavers, pools, and other constructed surfaces. The runoff amount and ability to retain stormwater on your parcel is not factored into the impermeable area tax calculation. There are options for a partial tax credit if you have constructed qualifying improvements on your property for the capture and/or treatment of stormwater or urban runoff. The credit program and list of qualifying improvements was developed and is available on the website. Please check back on our website at www.safecleanwaterla.org for updates.
Q:
How can I apply for a senior tax exemption? What are the required qualifications?
A senior is defined as a person 62 years of age or older, who owns and resides on a Single-Family Residential Parcel within the Los Angeles County. A low-income household is a household in Los Angeles County that meets the low-income limit as determined annually by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Persons applying for this exemption must be both a senior property owner and low-income. The low-income senior exemption application and instructions were made available in September 2019. Please check the website at www.safecleanwaterla.org for the application form and future updates.
Q:
How can I apply for a tax credit for managing stormwater on my property?
A credit program is available for property owners who can demonstrate stormwater improvements that result in water quality benefits, water supply benefits, and community investment benefits. Details about the credit program, a list of qualifying improvements, and verification requirements were developed and is available on the website. Please check the website at https://newsite.lacounty.gov/resources/tools/ for updates.
Q:
How do I appeal my tax amount?
Parcel owners who believe their tax has been calculated incorrectly can file for an appeal. For a valid appeal, there must be a significant discrepancy between the assessed and actual Impermeable Area. This means there must be (1) an error of ten percent (10%) or more in the Impermeable Area used to calculated the parcel’s Special Parcel Tax, and (2) a difference in the Special Parcel Tax amount of twenty-five dollars ($25) or more. Appeals must meet both conditions to be considered a valid appeal. Examples of valid and invalid appeals can be found in the Tax Appeal tutorial document. Formal appeals will be accepted starting in September 2019. Please check the website at https://newsite.lacounty.gov/resources/tools/ for updates.
Q:
What is my City’s local return?
Estimates of each Municipality’s local return can be found at https://newsite.lacounty.gov/municipalities/. Note that these estimates may vary when tax exemptions, credits, and appeals are applied. To learn more about the Municipal Program and what it funds, please visit the Municipal page.
Q:
Will a projects list be generated for the Regional Program?
Prioritization of regional projects is at the discretion of each Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC). Five-year Stormwater Investment Plans (SIPs) will be developed by each WASC to program funding for projects in the Regional Program’s Technical Resources Program, Infrastructure Program, and Scientific Studies Program. SIPs are developed each year. Information about the projects selected for funding will be available on https://newsite.lacounty.gov/sips-fy22-23/.
Q:
What services and support can LA County Flood Control District provide to Cities, NGOs, and individual Project proponents for the Regional Program?
The Technical Resources Program, paid for by Regional Funds, will provide resources to develop Feasibility Studies and provide Watershed Coordinators to educate and build capacity in communities, and facilitate community and stakeholder engagement. Technical Assistance Teams, comprised of subject-matter experts provided by the District, will develop Feasibility Studies in partnership with or on behalf of Municipalities, CBOs, NGOs, and others without the technical resources or capabilities to develop Feasibility Studies on their own. After completion of a Feasibility Study, Technical Assistance Teams will arrange for the Project to be added to an eligible water quality plan, assist in acquiring a letter of support for non-Municipal Infrastructure Program Project Applicants, and address other prerequisites to apply to the Infrastructure Program. Watershed Coordinators will work with Technical Assistance Teams to identify cost-share partners, help leverage additional funding sources, and coordinate with the appropriate municipalities, community groups, and stakeholders.
Q:
Can cities use funding from the Technical Resources Program to conduct their own feasibility studies?
No, feasibility studies utilizing Technical Resources Program funds must be implemented by the District. Alternatively, cities can utilize their Municipal Program funds to develop feasibility studies.
Q:
Are Feasibility Studies required for all Regional Projects seeking funding?
Yes, a Feasibility Study is required before a project will be considered for funding. As defined by the Feasibility Study Guidelines, project applicants must meet the minimum requirements and meet the Threshold Score of 60 points or more using the Infrastructure Program Project Scoring Criteria. The Feasibility Study Guidelines are available here.
