Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority

What Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority does

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) is a California joint powers authority formed in 1978 to provide regional wastewater treatment, water recycling, and resource recovery services to four member agencies: the Town of Apple Valley, the City of Hesperia, the City of Victorville, and San Bernardino County Service Areas 42 & 64. The authority operates across 279 square miles of the High Desert region, running an 18 MGD main treatment plant in Victorville that currently treats approximately 12 MGD using Biological Nutrient Removal, tertiary filtration (Aqua Diamond filters), UV disinfection, and SCADA-controlled remote operations. Two subregional MBR facilities in Apple Valley and Hesperia each produce 1 MGD of recycled water for irrigation at parks, golf courses, and civic landscaping.

The authority's product portfolio centers on four revenue streams: usage-based wastewater treatment user charges ($6,811/MG as of July 2025, up from $4,087/MG in 2020), one-time connection fees ($4,679 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit), transaction-based septage receiving ($0.12/gallon) and industrial pretreatment permits, plus recycled water sales and renewable natural gas off-take. In January 2022, VVWRA commissioned North America's largest privately financed co-digestion-to-biomethane facility in partnership with Anaergia's SoCal Biomethane subsidiary and Southwest Gas, processing up to 235,000 tons per year of food waste and biosolids into 320,000 Mmbtu of pipeline-injected RNG and 31,710 tonnes of CO2-equivalent annual emissions reduction.

Governance is provided by a Board of Commissioners with one representative per member agency, and VVWRA operates under California public agency law with no private equity ownership. The authority has secured over $11.5 million in grants since 2021 (FEMA/CalOES $5.8M, Southern California Edison $1.7M, Cal Recycle $4M) and has accumulated multiple industry recognitions including the 2023 Global Water Award for Wastewater Project of the Year, the 2025 Utility of the Future Today designation from the Water Environment Federation, and the 2026 CWEA Tertiary Plant of the Year for the Hesperia Subregional facility.

Name

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority

Legal name

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority

Website

https://vvwraca.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority is a California joint powers authority providing wastewater treatment, recycled water, and renewable natural gas to four member agencies across 279 square miles of the High Desert since 1978.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wastewater Treatment Services

NAICS

Sewage Treatment Facilities (221320), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Reclamation & Reuse Production (Tertiary/Advanced Treatment) (EUANADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Decentralized/Package Wastewater Systems (Small/Remote) (EUANADAE), Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)

Keywords

• Wastewater treatment services
• Water reclamation services
• Renewable natural gas
• Recycled water production
• Municipal water utilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Victorville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Wastewater Treatment Services: User charges for wastewater treatment services based on volume ($/MG), serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers across member agencies
2. Connection Fees: One-time connection fees charged for new service connections at $4,679 per EDU
3. RNG Sales: Revenue from renewable natural gas produced from biogas, injected into Southwest Gas pipeline for commercial distribution
4. Septage Disposal: Fees for accepting septage waste at $0.12 per gallon
5. Industrial Pretreatment Permits: Permit fees for industrial users discharging to the public treatment system
6. Recycled Water Sales: Revenue from recycled water sold to member agencies for irrigation and industrial uses

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VVWRA is a joint powers authority that operates a regional wastewater treatment plant in Victorville (18 MGD capacity, currently treating ~12 MGD) and two subregional reclamation facilities in Apple Valley and Hesperia. The Authority provides tertiary and secondary wastewater treatment, produces recycled water for irrigation and industrial cooling, generates renewable natural gas from co-digestion of food waste and biosolids, and produces nutrient-rich biosolids as soil amendments. Services are delivered to four member agencies: Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and San Bernardino County Service Areas.

Product overview

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority operates as a regional wastewater treatment authority serving the Victor Valley area. The organization offers a unified portfolio of water management services centered on its Main Treatment Plant in Victorville (treating approximately 12 MGD), complemented by two subregional facilities in Hesperia and Apple Valley (each producing 1 MGD of recycled water). VVWRA's core products include wastewater treatment with Biological Nutrient Removal, a Recycled Water Program that returns treated water to the Mojave River Basin for aquifer recharge, and a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)/Waste to Energy Program that converts methane from co-digestion of food waste and biosolids into pipeline-injected renewable natural gas via partnership with Anaergia and Southwest Gas. The RNG program is a significant initiative that also produces nutrient-rich biosolids as soil amendments. The organization operates as a joint powers authority providing services to Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and San Bernardino County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Treatment Plant (Victorville) Primary wastewater treatment facility capable of treating up to 18 MGD (currently treating approximately 12 MGD). Provides tertiary level treatment for a portion of flow and secondary level for percolation, using Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) technology. Serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the 279 square mile service area.
• Recycled Water Program Produces recycled water from treated wastewater for irrigation, industrial cooling, and groundwater recharge. Returns recycled water to the Mojave River Basin to replenish downstream aquifers and serves cooling towers at nearby power plants.
• Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) / Waste to Energy Program Converts methane from food waste and sewer biosolids into renewable natural gas through anaerobic digestion. The biogas is scrubbed to natural gas standards and injected into Southwest Gas pipeline for commercial distribution. Partnership between VVWRA, Anaergia Inc., and Southwest Gas.
• Apple Valley Subregional Water Reclamation Facility Scalping plant located at Brewster Park in Apple Valley, capable of producing 1 million gallons per day of recycled water for irrigation at Brewster Park and Civic Center Park. No solid waste is treated; solids return to main VVWRA plant for treatment.
• Hesperia Subregional Water Reclamation Facility Scalping plant located on the west side of Hesperia near Maple Ave, capable of producing 1 million gallons per day of recycled water. Water is pumped to City of Hesperia storage tanks for irrigation use throughout the city.
• Nutrient-Rich Soil Amendments (Biosolids) Dried biosolids from the treatment process are used to fertilize non-food crops like hay and alfalfa, providing nutrient-rich organic material as a soil amendment.
• Industrial Pretreatment Permits Permit program for industrial users discharging to the public treatment system, ensuring compliance with federal pretreatment regulations under the Clean Water Act.
• Septage Disposal Services Fees for accepting septage waste at $0.12 per gallon at VVWRA's treatment facility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Treats 12 million gallons of wastewater per day from 279 square mile service area
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, foundational and major.

• Anaergia Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2022VVWRA partnered with Anaergia Inc. and Southwest Gas on an innovative RNG project. Anaergia subsidiary SoCal Biomethane operates the gas scrubbing facility that cleans biogas to natural gas standards for pipeline injection. The three original anaerobic digesters were upgraded for co-digestion of food waste and municipal sewage. This is North America's largest privately financed co-digestion-to-biomethane project for pipeline injection.
• Southwest GascoreTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2022Southwest Gas operates the major natural gas pipeline running through VVWRA property. The RNG produced from biogas is injected directly into the Southwest Gas pipeline for commercial distribution to homes and businesses.
• SoCal BiomethanecoreTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2022Subsidiary of Anaergia Inc. that operates the gas scrubbing facility at VVWRA. The facility cleans biogas to renewable natural gas standards so it can be used in homes and businesses like traditional natural gas.
• Mojave Water AgencyfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerVVWRA was originally formed by the Mojave Water Agency to help meet requirements of the federal Clean Water Act and provide wastewater treatment for the growing area. The original treatment plant began operating in 1981.
• Victor Valley CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVVWRA partners with Victor Valley College for water and wastewater treatment certification programs. VVC presented VVWRA with Excellence in Partnership Award. Classes are offered empowering students to earn industry certifications and access career opportunities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Central Contra Costa Sanitary District: Wastewater treatment authority serving central Contra Costa County, California. Provides tertiary treatment, recycled water, and resource recovery services. Comparable to VVWRA in operating as a sub-county special district focused on wastewater reclamation with by-product recovery.
• Inland Empire Utilities Agency: Regional wastewater treatment and water recycling agency serving San Bernardino County and western Riverside County. Operates multiple regional plants with recycled water production, similar geographic/regulatory context to VVWRA and overlapping service territory in the Inland Empire.
• Orange County Water District: Groundwater management and water reuse authority in Orange County, California. Operates the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world's largest indirect potable reuse facility. Directly comparable to VVWRA as a regional water reuse/reclamation authority with tertiary treatment and recycled water production for groundwater replenishment.
• Clean Water Services: Water resource management utility serving Washington County, Oregon, with wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and water quality programs. Comparable regional authority model with similar focus on water reuse, regulatory leadership, and resource recovery — useful peer for VVWRA's growth trajectory.
• Encina Wastewater Authority: Joint powers authority operating the Encina Water Pollution Control Facility in Carlsbad, California. Serves multiple member agencies with wastewater treatment and ocean discharge. Operates under the same JPA governance structure as VVWRA, with comparable regulatory and operational profile.
• Las Virgenes Municipal Water District: California water district providing wastewater treatment, recycled water, and potable water services in the Las Virgenes area. Operates the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility with tertiary treatment and recycled water for irrigation. Similar size and service profile to VVWRA.

Emerging players

• Anaergia Inc. Technology partner and operator of VVWRA's SoCal Biomethane facility. Anaergia designs and operates anaerobic digestion and RNG systems for wastewater and organic waste globally. Comparable to VVWRA's RNG program because it supplies the proprietary digestion and gas-scrubbing technology that powers VVWRA's award-winning biomethane program.

Broad incumbents

• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Largest wholesale water supplier in the U.S., serving 26 member agencies across Southern California. Provides imported water supplies and supports regional water reuse policy. Relevant as a regional counterparty and policy shaper for VVWRA's recycled water and groundwater recharge initiatives, though operating at fundamentally different scale.
• Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts: Very large joint powers authority operating wastewater and solid waste management across Los Angeles County. Treats hundreds of MGD across multiple plants and produces recycled water and biogas. Operates at vastly greater scale than VVWRA but shares the JPA governance model and regulatory environment.
• East Bay Municipal Utility District: Large California water and wastewater utility serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Provides water supply, wastewater treatment, and recycled water. Comparable in its integration of water and wastewater services, though substantially larger and more diversified than VVWRA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/VVWRA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClo2u2BVW7HzjxeaPgg008w
• Facebookfacebook.com/VVWastewater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/victor-valley-wastewater-reclamation-authority

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority