Prem Parmar
Laboratory Director
Prem Parmar is the Laboratory Director for the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD, District) Philip L. Anthony Water Quality Laboratory. He oversees laboratory operations and staff, managing a team of more than 30 professionals. His responsibilities include directing strategic planning efforts, ensuring compliance with federal and state laboratory requirements, and maintaining high standards for data quality and reporting timelines. The laboratory supports a wide range of analytical services, including compliance monitoring for local groundwater users and the District’s Groundwater Replenishment System recycled water project, as well as activities supporting the District’s groundwater management programs.
Prem has more than 20 years of experience in environmental and analytical chemistry and has been with the District since 2006, when he began as a laboratory intern while completing his undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. He also holds a master’s degree in environmental engineering from California State University, Fullerton.
Prem contributes to advancing laboratory practices and standards through his involvement in professional organizations. He serves on the Board of Directors for The NELAC Institute (TNI) and participates in the American Water Works Association (CA-NV Section) Water Quality Analysis Committee and the California Water Environment Association Laboratory Training Committee. Through this work, he supports ongoing improvements in technical training, laboratory accreditation, and industry best practices.