San Antonio council interviews seven finalists for SAWS board as residents raise aquifer and transparency concerns

San Antonio’s City Council spent much of its Sept. 4 meeting interviewing seven finalists for three open seats on the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) board, pressing candidates on how they would address aging pipes, large system water loss and the balance between innovation and affordability.

The interviews—conducted after a brief public-comment period—were introduced by City Clerk Debbie Rokasitter, who said 30 applications were received and an ad hoc committee appointed by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones short‑listed seven candidates for interviews. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said the board will need members who “can think equally about cost, conservation, climate change as well as capital infrastructure projects.”

Why it matters: SAWS is facing decisions about major capital investments and programs to reduce nonrevenue water (leaks and other losses), expand supply diversity and keep rates affordable. Council signaled it would deliberate in executive session before any appointments; the meeting recessed for executive session and reconvened with no official action recorded.

Candidates and key themes

Mr. Wurzburg, an attorney who said he advises hospitals and health systems,…