BEN Lomond Water has lost its head in a shock resignation.
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Chief executive Barry Cash's sudden departure comes as large sections of reform in the water and sewerage sector remain unfinished.
Despite spearheading the multi-million dollar reforms in the North, Mr Cash handed his resignation to the board on Tuesday afternoon.
The veteran water manager, an engineer by trade who started with Esk Water, had given no sign of it in recent public comments.
It is unlikely Mr Cash will be replaced on a full-time basis as the three water corporations look to merge next year.
Acting CEO duties will be performed by Andrew Beswick who is general manager of Onstream, the provider of services, mainly billing, to all three corporations.
Mr Cash had been a vocal advocate of water and sewerage reform which kicked off three years ago with the formation of Ben Lomond, Cradle Mountain Water and Southern Water.
Mr Cash had been Ben Lomond's CEO since its inception in 2009 when it assumed control of water and sewerage services from the eight northern councils.
Unfinished projects led by Mr Cash include the introduction of two-part pricing, a $10 million new meter rollout and major infrastructure upgrades.
The reform process has been a bumpy ride for the water corporations with Ben Lomond publicly apologising last year over repeated billing mistakes.
The next stage in the reform process will be the emergence of just one water corporation, a move endorsed by both major parties and cautiously supported in principle by the 29 owner councils.
Both Mr Cash and the Tasmania Water Corporations' joint chairman Miles Hampton could not be reached for comment.