Mehul V. Patel, P.E., BCEE
Executive Director of Operations
Mehul V. Patel is the Executive Director of Operations for the Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District).
Mehul has been with the District since 1996. He currently oversees all OCWD operational facilities, which include the 130 million gallons per day (MGD) Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), Talbert Seawater Intrusion Barrier, Green Acres Project non-potable reuse facility, groundwater recharge system and the Prado Wetlands. Prior to this, as GWRS Program Manager, Mehul oversaw the award-winning GWRS 30 MGD expansion.
Mehul’s expertise is in the use of advanced technologies for water reclamation and recycling. He has extensive experience in pilot, demonstration and full-scale operation of advanced treatment technologies including 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. He has written, presented, and published a number of technical papers relating to the use of advanced treatment technologies for non-potable and potable reuse. He has served as a technical expert on several expert panels, including currently serving as a member of the NWRI Independent Advisory Panels for the Valley Water potable reuse program, the Anne Arundel County Maryland managed aquifer recharge program, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Headworks DPR project, and City of Tucson’s Pure Water program.
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, American Membrane Technology Association (including currently serving on its board of directors and president from 2012-2015), WateReuse Association, a graduate of the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority Leadership Essentials for the Water Industry program, and is past president of the Southwest Membrane Operator Association. Mehul was awarded the 2007 American Membrane Technology Association Outstanding Member Award and the 2013 Southwest Membrane Operator Association Distinguished Service Award.
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 a registered Professional Civil Engineer in the state of California. He also holds both a State of California Water Treatment Operator License Grade 2 and a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License Grade 3.