The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) is an aquatic sciences research institute that works to improve management of aquatic systems in Southern California and beyond. Since its founding as an intergovernmental public agency in 1969, SCCWRP has been developing strategies, tools and technologies that the region’s water-quality management community relies on to more effectively protect and enhance the ecological health of Southern California’s coastal ocean and watersheds that drain to it. As an R&D agency, SCCWRP’s reputation is built on conducting research and translating this science into actionable guidance and recommendations that inform management decision-making and policy development.

Learn more »

Xin, D., J. Choi, D.K. Cha, B.P. Hubbard, S.M. Sheets, P.C. Chiu. 2025. Optimizing Fenton process for efficient destruction of energetic compounds in insensitive munitions explosives (IMX) wastewater. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Thornton Hampton, L.M., A.C. Mehinto, S.B. Weisberg. 2025. Standard Operating Procedures for the Collection of Samples for Microplastics Analysis Part 1: Surface Sediment and Aquatic Biota. Technical Report 1410.A. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Stein, E.D., B. Bledsoe, E. Fassman-Beck, J. Hathaway, S. Struck. 2025. Application of Nature-Based Solutions for Temperature Management Santa Clara River Case Study: Summary of Expert Panel Workshop May 5-8, 2024. Technical Report 1418. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Research Portfolio

Management Impact

Scientific Publications

Scientific Leadership