Richmond announces permanent director of Department of Public Utilities following water crisis

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The City of Richmond has announced that its interim director of the city's Department of Public Utilities will now serve permanently as a director following the water crisis.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the City of Richmond announced that Scott Morris will serve as the permanent director of the Department of Public Utilities.

Morris served as the department's interim director beginning on Jan. 20 after Richmond's former director, April Bingham, was fired from her position after she rescinded her resignation following the Richmond area water crisis.

According to the city, Morris accepted his new role on Feb. 22.

“Director Morris has already shown tremendous leadership at the Department of Public Utilities,” said Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sabrina Joy-Hogg. “In the weeks following the service interruption at the Water Treatment Plant, he has run an excellent operation and has already implemented many of the recommendations found in the preliminary after-action report. We’re excited for him to join us at the City of Richmond.” 

City officials said Morris served as Director of Water at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality as well as Chief Deputy at the agency prior to accepting his role as director of the city's Department of Public Utilities.

RELATED: Richmond releases preliminary report on widespread water crisis

Morris also previously held a series of roles with progressively increasing leadership responsibility in the Chesterfield County Utilities Department for over a decade and spent four years working in wastewater plant operations for the City of Richmond, according to officials.

“I’ve been so impressed with Scott in his short time here,” said Richmond Mayor Danny Avula. “I'm proud to have him on the team, and I know the City will benefit from his leadership as we build resilience at our Water Treatment Plant.”