March 19, 2024

Los Angeles, CA – Since fall 2020, Los Angeles County has invested nearly $1 billion in almost 500 water projects through the Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP). To date, these voter-approved Measure W-funded efforts have led to water quality, water supply, flood control, and multi-benefit projects that promise to capture nearly 60,000 acre-feet annually of additional stormwater. 

Following this success, today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved changes to accelerate the program further, through a motion introduced by Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. Changes include expediting watershed planning with specific goals, metrics, and timelines associated for issues like water quality, water supply, community benefits, and disadvantaged community investments. 

“Los Angeles County and our taxpayers have invested more than $1 billion to capture, treat, and beneficially reuse all the water we can, recognizing that a sustainable future depends on our water resilience,” said Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “Today’s motion helps us move faster and with greater efficiency and equity in adaptively managing our Safe Clean Water Program, which is a key tool to reach our ambitious LA County Water Plan goals.”  

“The Safe Clean Water Program allows us to change the trajectory of many thousands of residents living in our most underserved communities,” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “It is a fact that many people of color live without adequate water quality and water supply, not to mention without adequate housing and green spaces. We have heard time and time again that the lack of housing, open space, and clean water leads to poor public health outcomes. Today’s action aims to combat these disparities. This comprehensive report will help streamline critical investments and project delivery – ensuring alignment with program objectives.” 

In July, Chair Horvath introduced a motion focused on accelerating the implementation of the Safe Clean Water Program, pushing LA County Public Works to streamline processes to bring more projects online quickly. Following that, earlier this year, the SCWP Regional Oversight Committee completed a SCWP Biennial Progress Report with key findings. LA County Public Works subsequently issued a report with recommended changes to expedite water projects countywide. These two reports informed the changes the Board acted on today to expedite an equitable program. 

“This is an exciting time for the Safe Clean Water Program and the entire region,” said Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, P.E. “We have an energized and engaged stakeholder community, including elected officials, public works professionals, nonprofits, community-based organizations, academics, and the public. And we are launching several initiatives that will greatly improve our ability to achieve the Population Outcomes identified by the Board of Supervisors and within the program ordinance.” 

“The SCWP has made significant accomplishments in its first years with efforts from many stakeholders to stand up this complex and unprecedented program,” said Kristine Guerrero, California League of Cities and Chair, SCWP Regional Oversight Committee. “The motion by Chair Horvath, along with the Regional Oversight Committee’s biennial report and the Director’s report, provide a strong roadmap for adaptive management of the SCWP to strengthen water resiliency in the County. I look forward to working on this next phase of the program.” 

The Board of Supervisors is committed to a sustainable water future for Los Angeles County. Last December, the Board adopted LA County’s first-ever Water Plan, which seeks to increase local water supply by 600,000-acre feet over the next twenty years, including capturing 300,000-acre feet of new stormwater per year. To learn more about the Water Plan, visit http://www.waterforla.com/. 

For more information on the Safe Clean Water Program and to apply for funds, visit https://safecleanwaterla.org.  

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