ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Bill Hart, who has served as Interim Water Resources Director since David Melton left the post in August 2025, has been officially named Water Resources Director for Asheville’s Water Resources Department.

Hart has worked for Water Resources for 16 years under titles like Water Plant Operator, North Fork Water Treatment Plan Supervisor and Water Production Division Manager. Hart holds a B.S. from Western Carolina University, where he studied water treatment, facilities management and hydrology.

Following the destruction of local water supply caused by Tropical Storm Helene, Hart was “instrumental” in Water Resources’ recovery from the storm, the city said in a press release.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve as Interim Water Resources Director, and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me to lead the department permanently,” stated Hart in the release. “Asheville is a special community, and I am fully committed to ensuring our residents and businesses enjoy continued access to safe, reliable and sustainable water.”

“Our water system is especially complex and presents unique challenges. While I am extremely proud of the progress we have made since Helene, everyone at Water Resources understands there remains a lot of work to do to make our system stronger. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our talented team of 181 employees, City leadership and our state and federal partners to accomplish that,” Hart continued.

Hart received praise from other city officials following his appointment.

“We are delighted to have Bill’s extensive knowledge and experience as a tenured employee within Asheville’s Water Resources Department. We are confident his leadership will guide us for years to come in essential infrastructure improvements while enhancing needed system resiliency,” said City Manager DK Wesley in the release.

For more about the Water Resources Department, visit www.ashevillenc.gov/department/water.