Discover the Clean Water Works Education Foundation's Impactful Programs

Calling All Ground-water Guardians! Submit Your Artwork for the 2027 Student Calendar

Businesses and Homeowners: Get a Grass Replacement Rebate!

Wastewater Literacy: Discover the Impactful Programs of the Clean Water Works Education Foundation 

The Clean Water Works Education Foundation (CWWEF) is a passionate nonprofit organization committed to educating and engaging the public on the crucial topics of water reuse and sustainability. Born out of the vision of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, CWWEF was created to amplify community outreach and foster a deeper connection between residents, water users, and the vital task of turning waste into resources. 

Discover CWWEF’s programs, including Sewer Science, an award-winning, hands-on lab program for high school students that teaches the science of water treatment. CWWEF programs also include a 5th Grade Water Education Program, a School Bus Tours Program, and more!  

Discover these programs and learn more about CWWEF. 

Submit Artwork for the 2027 Student Water Awareness Calendar

The Water Replenishment District needs student creativity to spread the word on the importance of water and water conservation in the 12th Annual Student Art Contest.

By participating in this Student Art Contest, K-6 grade students from the WRD service area, have the chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card*, a Certificate of Achievement, and other school-related prizes! Additionally, winning artwork is published in the WRD 2027 Water Awareness Calendar!

Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Learn more!

Businesses and Homeowners—Get a Grass Replacement Rebate!

Replacing your grass is a water-saver and a wallet-saver in the long run. For a limited time, West Basin announces the return of its Residential and Commercial Grass Replacement Rebate programs. You can now transform your landscape into a water-wise garden that is not only beautiful but also sustainable. Plus, you also get FREE landscape design services. 

Replacing your grass is a great strategy because it: 

• Conserves water - grass requires a lot of water to maintain  
• Decreases cost over time as drought-tolerant plants need less maintenance compared to grass 
• Supports local environment through helping local pollinators, birds and insects thrive with native plants 

People in the West Basin service area can apply for a residential rebate starting at $5 per square foot. West Basin offers free landscape designs up to $1,500 on your project, which is required for the grass removal rebate.  

Sign up for the Landscape Design Interest List for a FREE consultation. 

Through Metropolitan Water District’s new tree rebate, individuals can also receive $100 for each tree (up to five trees) as part of your grass replacement rebate project. 



For more information about the application process, design tips and other requirements visit WestBasinCA.gov/grass-replacement.

Rebate funds are limited, so get your garden the makeover that it needs NOW while funding lasts!

FREE Rain Barrel Giveaway Program

Returns for Six Events 

Who wouldn’t want a free rain barrel to conserve water at your own home? Well, if you do, look no further! West Basin Municipal Water District's free Rain Barrel Giveaway Program returns again this year, giving anyone in their service area the opportunity to take home up to two free rain barrels.  

This program is the perfect opportunity for anyone who enjoys saving water and saving money on their water bill. It‘s your chance to get ahead of the sustainability game while saving your hard-earned money and precious drinking water.  

West Basin will host six giveaway events in the upcoming months for anyone in our service area to come by and pick them up.  

Rain Barrels are a great addition to your home because they:

• Reduce drinking water usage by capturing rainwater, saving up to 620 gallons of water per year 
• Save money. Each rain barrel is valued at $80, plus you'll spend less on water for your plants 
• Prevent stormwater runoff and water waste through collecting rainwater for outdoor use like watering plants 

West Basin is distributing 1,500 rain barrels throughout its service area at these following events:  

• October 10, 2026: West LA College, Culver City from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.   
• November 14, 2026: Malibu City Hall, Malibu from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.   
• December 5, 2026: Hawthorne City Hall, Hawthorne from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.  
• More event dates in early 2027 coming soon 

Getting your rain barrels is easy! 

1. Register your name on the Rain Barrel Event Interest List ahead of the event date  
2. Pick up the rain barrels at the event. Our volunteers will load them into your car for you!    

For more information about the program guidelines, care guide, and other rain barrel information, please visit WestBasinCA.gov/rain-barrels. Get yours now before they’re gone!

Hey LA County: Get Paid to Give Your Car a Rest!

Can paying people not to drive reduce traffic?

Research and practice from around the globe shows that incentives to take transit, carpool, walk, or bike can meaningfully reduce driving trips — and that lower car ownership reduces miles traveled and time spent in traffic for everyone (in cars and buses). This summer, LA Metro is putting that idea to the test countywide.

Building on a successful pilot in Santa Monica, Metro is expanding the One Car Challenge to all of LA County in Summer 2026. This time, Metro’s inviting approximately 2,000 households to participate. And for the first time, one-car households are welcome.

Here’s the deal: if participants agree to keep at least one household car parked at home for five weeks and explore other ways to get around, they can earn up to $600 for their household!



Learn more about the challenge and see if you’re eligible to participate!

The SoCalREN-funded Facility Equipment Inventory (FEI) program provides free equipment inventories to eligible public agencies in the SBCCOG service area. SBCCOG’s Energy Efficiency team inventories energy-using equipment at participating facilities, helping agencies identify energy efficiency opportunities, pursue funding, and prioritize equipment upgrades.

Learn more about the program by watching this video and exploring its findings and impacts through this infographic.

Interested in enrolling your agency in the SoCalREN? Explore the opportunity, check your eligibility, and sign up here. 

Storage Helps Capture Five-Year Low Natural Gas Prices

The billed price of natural gas declined steadily over the spring, dropping from 35.7 cents per therm in March to 16.9 cents in April and 15.9 cents in May — a 55% decline from March to May. These market trends, along with how natural gas is purchased and managed over time, contribute to the cost passed through to customers.

System flexibility, including storage and access to multiple supply basins, helps manage costs by enabling lower-cost gas purchases and reducing exposure to higher-priced supply during periods of increased demand. 

Learn more about how SoCalGas supports stable energy costs for customers.

Job Opportunities

Metro is seeking qualified candidates to join one of the nation’s largest and most innovative transportation systems. For a full list of Metro job openings, visit their career page.

Become a SBESC Volunteer

Learn more about the

South Bay Environmental Service Center (SBESC),

Contact Martha Segovia

310-371-7222 or

martha@southbaycities.org

Apply Today!

Learn About the

South Bay Subregion and SBCCOG Member Cities

Disclaimer

This newsletter is a collaboration of articles written by the partners of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and is published as provided.