ASCE OC External Activities: Anaheim Linda Vista Treatment Plant Technical Tour
- Samuel Saldivar, PE
- Sep 14
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
On Friday, August 29, 2025, ASCE Orange County hosted a technical tour in collaboration with the City of Anaheim at the Linda Vista Water Treatment Plant, one of the most advanced water treatment facilities in the nation. This event welcomed 15 attendees, including both students and professionals, who had the opportunity to gain an in-depth look at the engineering and innovation behind Anaheim’s treatment plant.
The Linda Vista Treatment Plant, which began operations in mid-2023, is part of Anaheim’s comprehensive PFAS treatment program, the largest in the United States, with a total of 13 treatment facilities. Through this advanced technology, the plant removes PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” from local groundwater, reducing concentrations to nearly undetectable levels. With a treatment capacity of 16,300 gallons per minute, Linda Vista ranks as the second-largest PFAS treatment site in the country.
Before the plant became operational, the City of Anaheim relied heavily on imported water sources, which were nearly twice as expensive as local groundwater. Thanks to Linda Vista and other treatment plants, the City now saves approximately $1.5 million per month while providing residents with safer, high-quality drinking water.
The site also features a 4-million-gallon, earthquake-resilient reservoir and upgraded booster pumps designed to meet peak summer demand, supplying up to one-third of the City’s total water. Beyond its technical achievements, the plant was thoughtfully designed to integrate with its industrial surroundings through enhanced landscaping and architectural design.
Attendees learned how the project overcame pandemic-related and construction challenges without interrupting ongoing water operations, highlighting the exceptional planning, coordination, and engineering required to complete this project. The facility also serves as a hub for public education and professional engagement, reflecting Anaheim’s commitment to sustainable water management and community engagement.
A huge thank you to the City of Anaheim for hosting this informative and inspiring technical tour!
If you or your agency/firm have any questions or interested in hosting future ASCE OC technical tours, please contact our External Activities Co-Chairs via email at ext-activities@ymf-oc.org!
About the Author:
Samuel Saldivar is a Civil Engineering Associate working in the Inter-Agency Utility Coordination group at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree at Cal Poly Pomona. Sam currently serves as the ASCE OC YMF External Activities Chair. On his free time, he enjoys to traveling and spending time with friends and family.
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