San Antonio Council interviews candidates for water-system trust; focus on leaks, infrastructure and conservation

San Antonio Mayor Gene Ortiz Jones and the City Council on Sept. 4 interviewed a slate of candidates to fill four vacancies on the trust that advises the city—s water utility, a process in which applicants emphasized reducing water loss, modernizing aging infrastructure and expanding conservation outreach.

The interviews came after City Secretary Debbie Brocka Sitter said the city received 30 applications and an ad hoc screening committee made up of Mayor Gene Ortiz Jones, Councilmember Villagrán and Councilmember Galván narrowed the pool to seven candidates for interviews. The council said it intends to vote to fill four seats; appointees would receive letters of welcome and take their posts on or about Sept. 10, according to the city secretary—s presentation.

Why it matters: The trust helps guide decisions about a utility that the council and candidates described as central to San Antonio—s growth, public health and economic competitiveness. Multiple applicants told the council that large, ongoing water losses and aging treatment and delivery systems make near-term capital investment and better coordination with city departments urgent.

What happened: The city secretary opened the item and summarized the application process, deadlines and…