May 14, 2024
The West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) announces Eric Owens as Assistant General Manager. Mr. Owens brings a wealth of experience in water engineering and operations that will advance the District’s mission of providing reliable and high-quality water to its customers.
“West Basin welcomes Eric and his deep knowledge of water treatment technologies, the District and regional partners,” said West Basin General Manager E.J. Caldwell. “In this leadership role, his expertise and insights will be vital in optimizing the use of recycled water and groundwater, and ensuring sustainable water management for the communities we serve.”
Owens comes to West Basin from the Water Replenishment District (WRD) where he served as the Manager of Engineering and Operations. He led the Capital Improvement Program which is crucial for the sustainability of two groundwater basins, including the West Coast Basin, while also managing two advanced water treatment systems and a groundwater desalter.
Prior to his tenure at WRD, Owens worked for West Basin for five years as Technical Resource Manager overseeing the engineering, regulatory compliance, and technical planning divisions. His career spans over 24 years in municipal and private-sector water resources, specializing in membrane technology and advanced water treatment. In his early career, he spent 14 years at Separation Processes Inc. contributing to more than 40 projects by providing specialized engineering consulting services for water and wastewater treatment facilities.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a registered professional engineer. Before attending UC Berkeley, Owens served as a Cavalry Scout in the United States Army, where he developed leadership and strategic planning skills.
