Mehul V. Patel, P.E.
Executive Director of Operations
Mehul V. Patel is the Executive Director of Operations for the Orange County Water District. He oversees water treatment and groundwater recharge operations.
Mehul has been with the District for more than 20 years. He was formerly Director of Water Production and oversaw the operations, maintenance and staff responsible for the day-to-day operations of the GWRS, Green Acres and facility maintenance. Prior to this, as GWRS Program Manager, Mehul oversaw the award-winning facility’s 30 MGD expansion.
He has extensive experience in pilot, demonstration and full-scale operation of microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse-osmosis technologies, and advanced-oxidation systems. He also worked as a process engineer assisting in troubleshooting for operation of OCWD’s renowned Water Factory 21 facility. Mehul’s expertise is in the use of advanced technologies for water reclamation and recycling. He has written, presented, and published a number of technical papers relating to the use of membrane and ultraviolet light technologies for wastewater reclamation.
Mehul is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association (including a member of its Membrane Process Committee), Water Environment Federation (including a member of its Disinfection Committee), American Membrane Technology Association (including currently serving on its board of directors), WateReuse Association, and is past president of the Southwest Membrane Operator Association.
Mehul received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Long Beach. He is also a registered Professional Civil Engineer in the state of California.