JRC Development

JRC Development is a massive, 400-acre commercial site strategically located just south of Kettleman City, California. Planned as a major economic hub along the I-5 corridor, the development includes gas stations, fast-food chains, hotels, and future retail anchors such as Amazon, FedEx, and Walmart.

Caltech was brought in to provide engineering and construction support for the site's wastewater infrastructure—one of the project's most critical and costly components. With our sister company, NexGen Engineering, we were tasked with evaluating and redesigning a wastewater treatment solution that had previously stalled progress due to inefficiencies, high costs, and long-term maintenance concerns.

The Challenge
The initial wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) design proposed by a previous firm was outdated, space-consuming, and projected to be costly both in capital and in operational overhead. The location’s proximity to I-5 also introduced visual limitations and regulatory concerns.

JRC needed a solution that would meet capacity demands, fit seamlessly into the overall development layout, minimize visual intrusion, and lower long-term maintenance costs.

Caltech’s Approach
After an in-depth evaluation, Caltech’s team proposed a redesigned WWTP system optimized for space, performance, and visual discretion. The system was re-engineered to:

• Fit within a smaller footprint without compromising capacity
• Reduce above-ground visibility from I-5
• Simplify long-term maintenance for the client
• Lower up-front construction costs

Working closely with local permitting authorities, JRC’s project managers, and our in-house engineers at NexGen, we streamlined the entire process from permitting to construction.

Results
In 2023, Caltech completed Phase 1 of the WWTP, delivering a system capable of handling 12,500 gallons per day. The updated design resulted in over $1 million in cost savings for the developer, while positioning the site for scalable future phases of construction.

Beyond the numbers, this project highlights what Caltech does best—aligning design, regulatory compliance, and field execution to deliver infrastructure that works smarter, costs less, and supports ambitious development goals.

Looking Ahead
The success of the JRC wastewater phase has laid the groundwork for continued collaboration as the commercial center builds out in phases. Caltech remains a key infrastructure partner, helping to ensure the development’s long-term utility and environmental needs are met with the same strategic foresight that made Phase 1 a success.