Mayor: DPU director's resignation was voluntary, 'amicable'

Speaking with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Mayor Danny Avula said Bingham’s resignation was both voluntary and “amicable.”

“But there probably are other skills that have emerged as what we need in terms of oversight at the water treatment plant,” the mayor said.

Bingham does not hold a degree in engineering, which made her the only DPU director in the region without one. During a news conference last week, Avula said he had been “absolutely impressed with her attentiveness and response” to the crisis.

Avula on Wednesday afternoon said nobody had asked Bingham to resign. Asked whether he would have fired her, Avula said he and Bingham had had “a lot of conversations over the last two weeks as we (thought) about the next phase of leadership.”

“We’re really grateful for ... the work she’s put in,” Avula added.

In a statement, a city spokesperson said Anthony “Scott” Morris would serve as interim director of the city’s utilities department. Morris is a U.S. Navy Veteran, engineer and the current director of water and chief deputy for Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality.

“As someone with a history of working in local and state water service roles, including a previous tenure with the city of Richmond as a wastewater plant chief operator, I am excited to return to Richmond to lead the department,” Morris said in a statement.

Morris spent four years working in wastewater plant operations in Richmond, officials said. Morris also held leadership positions in Chesterfield County’s DPU.

Morris holds a doctorate of business administration from Liberty University, a master’s in information services from Virginia Commonwealth University, a bachelor of science in applied science and technology from Thomas Edison State College and an associate of science degree in wastewater and technology from Mountain Empire Community College.

Avula said Morris’ previous experience and expertise make him an ideal pick for the job.

“I think the combination of the (experience) plus an engineer background gives me a lot of confidence,” he said. Asked whether Morris might transition from interim to permanent department director,” Avula said “we are going to ride this for a while.”

“Once we get a new (chief administrative officer) in here, I want (them) to be involved in key hires like department directors,” he said. “And so, at some point, we will open it up and do a search for that position.”

In reference to his previous commitment to make Bingham available for questions, Avula said her resignation had changed that plan.

“If she was still here, then we would have an opportunity for you,” he said. “Now it’ll be up to her.”

Bingham could not immediately be reached for comment.

A snowstorm on Jan. 6 caused a power outage that stopped operations at the James River plant, which was built in 1924. A boil-water order was issued for Richmond and Henrico and Hanover counties through Saturday.

Avula, who took office this month, has caused for an internal investigation into the mechanical failure at the plant, where a pump also failed between Monday and Tuesday. A city official said auxiliary pumps were brought in.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday also announced the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water also is investigating the outage, which delayed the start of the General Assembly session.

The Times-Dispatch last week reported that officials put off replacing key infrastructure at the plant for eight years.

Bingham, formerly DPU’s customer service director, was appointed director of the entire utilities department by then-Mayor Levar Stoney in December 2021. She was the first woman to hold the position.

In a statement announcing the selection of Bingham, Bob Steidel, then the city’s deputy chief administrative officers for operations, said that Bingham brought a unique, communications-informed perspective to the role.

She was paid $236,818 in 2024, payroll records show.

Bingham’s lack of an engineering degree or related qualification has been a source of discussion. She previously was with the Water & Sewer Authority and Washington Gas Light Co. in Washington, D.C.

On Tuesday, Senate Republicans said they were planning legislation to require professional qualifications for anyone running a water utility.

The legislation is not finalized, but lawmakers said it could require an engineering degree.