After six years as CEO of WaterNSW, David Harris has advised the board of his resignation.

From 2014, David was CEO of both State Water Corporation and Sydney Catchment Authority, and instrumental in the merger of the two organisations into WaterNSW.

“I have been reflecting on the right time to transition the leadership of WaterNSW for its next era and for me to take on my next challenge. I believe now is the window for transitioning the leadership, ahead of the development of the next three year Strategic Plan and as the reforms to the NSW Govt owned water sector enter the next phase,” Mr Harris said this week.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the organisation from its inception through some of the most significant improvements in water quality and water system operations that this State has ever seen. Simultaneously, we have battled some of the worst natural disasters in our catchments.”

NSW water minister Melinda Pavey said Mr Harris “has been integral to the successful work of managing water in NSW”.

Andrew George has been appointed as acting CEO, and Mr Harris will assist in the transition over the next two weeks.

Mr George is a civil and environmental engineer who has been an Executive at WaterNSW since its inception, accountable for Regulatory and Market Strategy, Government Relations, Asset Strategy and the Major Projects division.

“As we move forward, I am committed to honouring the legacy and solid platform that David is leaving, and leveraging this into the future for the benefit of our customers and the communities of NSW,” he said.