The Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) has approved a two-year contract extension for Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David L. Gadis, ensuring stability in leadership as the Authority continues to deliver on major infrastructure upgrades, equity, sustainability initiatives, and customer-focused improvements critical to the District’s future. The extension, approved during a Special Meeting of the Board on October 29, 2025, extends Mr. Gadis’ tenure through September 30, 2028.

Since being appointed in 2018, Mr. Gadis has led DC Water through a period of significant progress and transformation. His leadership has helped strengthen financial stability, advance customer affordability programs, expand community partnerships, and accelerate work on some of the region’s most consequential environmental and infrastructure initiatives — including the nationally recognized Lead Free DC program and the Clean Rivers Project.

Under Mr. Gadis’s leadership, DC Water has:

• Maintained some of the strongest credit ratings in the public utility sector, helping keep borrowing costs low and customer rates affordable.
• Delivered major milestones in the Clean Rivers Project, including early completion of the Anacostia River Tunnel and continued progress on the Potomac River Tunnel — the largest infrastructure project in District history, which will reduce sewer overflows and dramatically improve water quality.
• Accelerated Lead Free DC replacements of thousands of lead service lines with approximately 70% replaced at no-cost or discounted cost to homeowners and renters — improving public health and equity.
• Released the nation’s first ESG+R (Environmental, Social, Governance + Resilience) report by a municipal utility, positioning DC Water as a global leader for sustainable and resilient utility management.
• Expanded affordability and emergency relief programs to strengthen customer service and support District families facing financial hardship.
• Advanced workforce development, leadership growth, pay equity, and training, including expanded apprenticeship opportunities.

“During a time when public utilities across the nation are grappling with aging infrastructure, climate change, affordability challenges, and evolving regulations, stability in leadership is essential,” said Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, chair of the DC Water Board of Directors. “David Gadis brings the vision, discipline, and community-centered leadership required to steward this essential public service. His record — from delivering major infrastructure projects and strengthening our financial standing, to advancing equity through Lead Free DC — reflects a deep commitment to ensuring every resident has access to clean, safe, reliable water. The Board is confident DC Water is well positioned for the future under his continued leadership.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Gadis will continue leading strategic initiatives that enhance service reliability, sustainability, and customer affordability central to the Authority’s long-term resilience, and service to the District, including:

• Completion of the Potomac River Tunnel, the final major segment of the Clean Rivers Project.
• Continued acceleration of Lead Free DC to replace all lead service lines by 2037.
• Advancement of water reuse strategy and development of a second source of supply to enhance regional water security.
• Strengthening cybersecurity, hazard resilience, and system-wide emergency preparedness.
• Continuing to expand customer affordability and community partnership programs.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and it has been the honor of my career to serve the residents of the District of Columbia,” said David L. Gadis, CEO and General Manager of DC Water. “I am deeply grateful to the Board for their confidence, our employees for their dedication and expertise, and the communities we serve for their trust and partnership. Together, we will ensure DC Water remains resilient, equitable, financially strong, and ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

About DC Water

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) provides drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment to more than 700,000 residents, 24 million annual visitors, and hundreds of thousands of workers across the District of Columbia, as well as wastewater treatment services for communities across the entire metropolitan region. DC Water is committed to delivering high-quality water services in a reliable, sustainable, and equitable manner.