Bella Colpo is an environmental scientist with the County of San Diego, where she serves as the watershed lead for both the San Diego Bay and Santa Margarita River Watershed Management Areas with the Watershed Protection Program. In this role, she leads long-range watershed planning efforts to ensure compliance with the regional MS4 Stormwater permit, work that has earned awards from the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Bella has also developed an innovative methodology to quantify pollutant load reductions from non-structural stormwater control measures in San Diego Bay, advancing how local governments measure and communicate environmental impact.

Beyond technical planning, Bella plays a key leadership role in regional collaboration and science communication.  She chairs the regional Project Clean Water Workgroup, guiding public education and outreach strategies that promote behavioral change and pollution prevention. She also serves as the legislative analysis lead for the Watershed Planning Section, developing recommendations on environmental legislation affecting water quality.

As a science communicator, Bella has represented the County on KUSI News and FOX 5 San Diego to discuss stormwater pollution following the Fourth of July and to promote Project Clean Water’s “ Trash Free Starts with Me” campaign. She is also scheduled to present on regional outreach and engagement strategies at the 2025 California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) Conference.