Chino Basin II Desalter Named Plant of the Year by the Southwest Membrane Operator Association

For Immediate Release
Contact: Arman Tarzi, Government & Public Affairs Manager
(951) 685-7434

Jurupa Valley, CA (February 25, 2025) – The Southwest Membrane Operator Association (SWMOA) has named the Chino Basin Desalter Authority’s (CDA) Chino Basin II Desalter and Concentrate Reduction Facility (CRF), operated by the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD), as the 2024 Plant of the Year.

This award highlights the facility’s state-of-the-art membrane technology and industry-leading sustainability efforts. SWMOA recognizes plants that have done outstanding work in the membrane industry, demonstrating excellence in technology, energy efficiency, environmental impact reduction, and workplace safety.

The state-of-the-art Chino Basin II Desalter is a groundwater treatment plant that processes 29 million gallons of water daily utilizing Reserve Osmosis, Ion Exchange, Air Stripping, and Blending technologies to produce high-quality potable water.

“This recognition from SWMOA underscores our joint commitment to using cutting-edge technology and best practices in water treatment,” said JCSD Director and CDA Board Member Kenneth J. McLaughlin. “We are proud to see our efforts acknowledged and will continue to invest in the resources necessary to provide safe, high-quality water to the region.”

The CRF at the Chino Basin II Desalter is an innovative brine treatment and recovery facility constructed by CDA to recover saline-rejected water from the primary reverse osmosis processes. The CRF is the only one of its kind in the United States, utilizing a combination of four advanced treatment processes: pellet softening, lime softening/solids contact clarifiers, media filtration, and secondary reverse osmosis to further treat a majority of the concentrate, significantly reducing its impact on the Inland Empire Brine Line. This intricate system boosts water recovery and reduces the facility’s environmental footprint.

“Earning this award is a testament to the strong partnership between JCSD and the Chino Basin Desalter Authority. We take pride in delivering high-quality drinking water to the region through collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise,” said CDA General Manager Thomas O’Neill.
SWMOA serves as an industry leader dedicated to enhancing the professional development of the membrane industry within the Southwest United States region, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.