Boss resigns at top SA utility
The state government is on the hunt for a new boss at SA Water after its chief executive quit for a job interstate.
Housing and Infrastructure Minister Nick Champion has announced that SA Water chief executive David Ryan has resigned to pursue new opportunities interstate after almost seven years in the job.
An interim chief executive would be appointed to the utility soon, and the state government would lead the search for a new boss, with Ryan expected to start in a new role as chief executive of Urban Utilities in Queensland in early 2027.
“After almost seven years leading the business, it now feels like it is the right time to hand over the reins to a new leader with fresh energy and a new perspective to steer the business into the future,” Ryan said.
While Ryan’s remuneration was not publicly listed online, there was one person listed in the $611,001 to $631,000 salary band in SA Water’s 2024-25 Annual Report.
Ryan oversaw SA Water’s work in expanding its network to accommodate housing growth across South Australia after the state government committed $1.5 billion to water infrastructure.
He also led SA Water’s River Murray flood response in 2022-23, with the organisation playing a critical role in ensuring the safety of residents as the community faced the state’s most significant River Murray flood event in more than 50 years.
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SA Water employs more than 1800 people, oversees some $14 billion in infrastructure assets and delivers essential water and wastewater services to 1.8 million South Australians.
Before joining SA Water, Ryan was managing director of Melbourne’s City West Water and held executive roles at Melbourne Water across operations and capital delivery, waterway management and customer solutions.
“David has led SA Water through the largest expansion of the state’s water and sewer network in generations, delivering the infrastructure that is unlocking thousands of new homes for South Australian families,” Champion said.
SA Water Board chair Allan Holmes said the organisation had “performed strongly under his leadership, delivering for customers and for the state through a period of significant change and growth”.
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