CASA Member Spotlights
Following the 2025 Winter Conference in Palm Springs, CASA connected with members to learn more about their current initiatives, tour their facilities, and introduce them to our newest staff, Sarah Deslauriers, Director of Air, Climate, & Energy and Maile Lono-Batura, Director of Renewable Resources. Please join us for a behind-the-scenes look at four of our member facilities in Southern California.

Valley Sanitary District
Jason Dafforn, Valley Sanitary District (VSD) General Manager, welcomed Sarah and Maile for a tour of their facility located in Indio.

Valley Sanitary Fun Facts:

  • VSD was established in 1925 and celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year.
  • As part of their Biosolids Conversion Project, VSD will be upgrading their biosolids treatment process to accommodate for increased flow and potential regional expansion.
  • To maximize reclaimed and re-cycled water generated, VSD entered a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with Indio Water Authority to explore this access to a renewable source of recycled water rather than discharging and relying on imported water.

Inland Empire
Jason Racz, Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility (IERCF) Compost Facility Supervisor gave Sarah and Maile an inside look at their facility in Rancho Cucamonga.

Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility Fun Facts:

  • The IERCF is the largest indoor composting facility in the world. Housed in a former IKEA warehouse in Rancho Cucamonga.
  • The biofilter alone is 3.1 acres and utilizes wood waste, moving towards almond tree trunks as the main media.
  • IERCF produces approximately 230,000 cubic yards (90,000 tons) of SoilPro compost that is certified by the U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program.

The ultimate success is an empty storage facility with all compost in the hands of faithful customers. 

Orange County Sanitation District
Led by Rob Thompson, General Manager, along with Jennifer Cabral, Director of Communications, and Lan Wiborg, Director of Environmental Services, Sarah, Greg and Maile had the opportunity to tour OCSan’s new Administration Building and facilities.

Orange County Sanitation District (OCSan) Fun Facts:

  • OCSan has partnered with 374Water to run their AirSCWO (super critical water oxidation) unit on site, with installation happening spring 2025.
  • Surge towers were installed to act as a storm event relief station to regulate pressure and stabilize effluent flows.
  • OCSan’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) is the world’s largest advanced water purification system for potable reuse.

South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA)
Amber Boone, SOCWA’s General Manager, welcomed Maile and Sarah to tour two of their facilities – JB Latham Treatment Plant in Dana Point and Coastal Treatment Plant in Laguna Beach.

South Orange County Wastewater Authority Fun Facts:

JB Latham Plant

  • JB Latham Plant is located directly in the Dana Point community near Doheny State Park, creating a fixed footprint to manage services within.
  • The facility produces its own energy with a cogeneration unit. A flare is on site for back-up when the cogeneration unit is down.
  • Centrifuge and polymer treatment utilized for dewatering to 23% solids.

Coastal Treatment Plant

  • Operate at 2-3% solids as these are conveyed to their Regional Treatment Plant for final treatment.
  • The Ranch at Laguna Beach that neighbors the plant, utilizes 100% reclaimed water on their golf course.
  • The site is located in a valley that is part of the County of Orange Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park.