SAN ANTONIO–( BUSINESS WIRE )–San Antonio Water System has promoted Edward Guzman to senior vice president/chief legal and ethics officer and added acclaimed environmental attorney Karen Hansen to San Antonio Water System’s executive management team as vice president/environmental law and compliance. Both began their new roles on September 16.
Hansen joins SAWS after many years in private practice with the leading national environmental law firm of Beveridge & Diamond based in Washington, D.C. She has had a working relationship with SAWS since 2007, helping to lead negotiations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) consent decree that led to its successful implementation from 2013 to 2023. She has also assisted SAWS with many significant permitting and compliance matters involving a wide range of SAWS operations.
Hansen has represented multiple communities and industries in wastewater permitting and drinking water compliance matters, and will bring this unique experience to our organization as we move forward. He grew up in San Antonio, graduated from Trinity University , and earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas.
“I am excited to join SAWS full-time and continue to help the utility navigate state and national environmental issues that may impact daily service operations for our 2 million customers,” Hansen said. “SAWS has been recognized with the Leading Utility of the World designation and it is an honor to be part of such a professional organization.”
Guzman joined SAWS in 2020 as Senior Corporate Counsel providing legal support for environmental and regulatory matters. He was promoted to Vice President of Environmental Law and Regulatory Compliance in 2023, and in that role supported various departments across the organization in connection with the finalization of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consent Decree; permitting issues for the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (wastewater) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (stormwater); permitting and compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and EPA rules and regulations; and enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 34 of the Municipal Code regarding wells, impervious cover, industrial waste, and backflow preventers. His experience will be critical as utilities address upcoming water and environmental issues such as lead and copper and PFAS (forever chemicals).
Prior to joining SAWS, Guzman served in senior roles as an Assistant City Attorney with the San Antonio City Attorney’s Office overseeing the Regulatory Division. Previously, he practiced law in San Antonio and Houston. He began his legal career with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office as a second-chair felony prosecutor. He graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1991 and received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1994.
SAWS provides water and wastewater services to more than 2 million customers in the San Antonio region and continues to set the standard for water service and conservation within our industry. SAWS is a national leader in water innovation with the nation’s largest direct recycled water system, a state-of-the-art inland desalination plant, and the nation’s largest underground aquifer storage and recovery facility. Visit www.saws.org.
