Ogechi Okpechi serves the Authority as Director, Permit Operations. In this capacity, she directs all activities associated with the enforcement of all provisions relating to DC Water’s public infrastructure systems, including the mapping of existing water and sewer infrastructure,  ensures regulatory compliance, and leads the Authority’s Permitting team.  Leading by example, she provides strategic guidance and leadership through her commitment to ensuring all residents, private companies, and government agencies have a seamless customer experience when requesting information and pursuing permit approvals from DC Water.

Under the leadership of  Ms. Okpechi, the Permitting team is advancing and optimizing the permitting process, systematically, to enhance the Authority’s relationship with the District’s private development community and our District partner agencies.

Previously at the Authority, Ms. Okpechi served as a Senior Program Manager for the Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO). In that role, she coordinated multiple enterprise programs/projects aligned with the Authority’s strategic objectives, performed and managed business process reengineering and improvements, and designed processes to monitor and ensure performance.

Prior to serving as the Senior Program Manager, EPMO, Ms. Okpechi served as the Supervisor, Wastewater Treatment Design. In that role, she was responsible for the supervision of Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant design reviews, management of the design consultants, as well as coordination with operations for CIP planning, design, and construction to ensure process facilities and pump stations were maintained and operated in compliance with DC Water standards and NPDES permit requirements. Prior to joining DC Water in 2017, Ms. Okpechi worked in the consulting engineering field as a design manager, project manager, and business group leader. 

Ms. Okpechi earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nigeria and a master’s degree in environmental engineering, with specialization in Water and Wastewater design, from the University of Florida. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Florida and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Black Belt Lean Six Sigma.