David Ryan is currently managing director of City West Water, which services around one million people around Melbourne’s CBD, inner and western suburbs, and previously held a senior position at Melbourne Water.

He is also a director of VicWater and a current director and former chair of the Institute of Water Administration.

Ryan said he looked forward to the Adelaide move.

“SA Water’s role in delivering water services across urban, regional and remote areas – at such great scale – is unusual in the water sector, and this reach provides an incredible opportunity to have a positive impact on a truly diverse group of customers,” he said.

“Water services make a vital contribution to everyday liveability, from the basics of public health through to urban cooling or recycling water to expand primary production, and while we continue to ensure supply is resilient in the face of a changing climate, we must do so with affordability and reliability at front of mind.”

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs said SA Water had improved its culture, business practices and customer services in recent years.

“Mr Ryan’s appointment gives us the opportunity to take this to the next level, driving further improvements and innovations, while always striving for best practice in all that we do,” he said.

SA Water acting chief executive Mark Gobbie will return to his role as General Manager Assets, Operations and Delivery when Ryan takes up his post on November 11.