What SAWS is and how to pay your bill

SAWS stands for San Antonio Water System, the public utility that provides water and wastewater service to San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas. If you live in their service territory, your water bill comes from SAWS, and you can pay it online, by phone, by mail, or in person at their payment centers.

SAWS bills arrive monthly and show your water usage, wastewater charges, and any other service fees. The bill tells you the due date — typically 20 days from the bill date — and the amount owed. Paying by the due date avoids late fees and service interruption.

You do not need to set up an account with a third-party payment service. SAWS handles payments directly through their own system, which means your payment goes straight to the utility without middlemen.

Key Takeaways

  • SAWS bills are due 20 days from the bill date, and late payments trigger a 1.5% monthly penalty plus potential service disconnection.
  • You can pay online at saws.org using your account number, by phone at 210-704-7297, by mail to their lockbox address, or in person at SAWS payment centers.
  • Online and phone payments post to your account the same day or next business day, while mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to reach SAWS.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact SAWS directly to discuss payment plans or hardship programs before your account falls 30 days past due.

Paying online through the SAWS website

The fastest way to pay is through saws.org. Go to the "Pay My Bill" section, enter your account number (found on your bill), and choose whether to pay from a checking account, savings account, or debit card. Online payments are free and post when ready or by the next business day.

You will need your account number and the amount you want to pay. SAWS does not charge a fee for online payments made from a bank account, though some banks may charge their own fee if you use their bill-pay system instead of SAWS's website.

If you set up an online account at saws.org, you can also view your bill history, see your current balance, and set up automatic recurring payments so the same amount withdraws on a date you choose each month.

Paying by phone or automatic draft

Call SAWS customer service at 210-704-7297 to pay by phone using a debit card or bank account. Have your account number and payment method ready. Phone payments are processed the same day and cost nothing.

If you want to avoid calling every month, you can set up automatic draft (also called autopay) through SAWS. The utility withdraws your payment automatically on a date you select, usually around the due date. You can change or cancel autopay at any time by calling customer service or logging into your online account.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to SAWS and mail it to the address on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to arrive and post to your account, so send your payment at least a week before the due date to avoid a late fee.

Do not send cash by mail. If you do not have a checking account and cannot pay online or by phone, visit a SAWS payment center in person instead.

Paying in person at SAWS payment centers

SAWS operates payment centers in San Antonio where you can pay cash, check, or debit card in person. Locations and hours are listed at saws.org under "Payment Centers." Payments made in person post to your account the same day.

Bring your account number and the amount you owe. Some payment centers are open evenings and Saturdays, so check the hours before you go. In-person payments are free.

Late payments, disconnection, and hardship options

If your payment does not arrive by the due date, SAWS charges a 1.5% late fee on the unpaid balance each month. After 30 days past due, SAWS may send a disconnection notice warning that service will be shut off if you do not pay within a set timeframe (usually 10 days). Reconnection requires paying the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact SAWS customer service before your account falls behind. SAWS offers payment arrangements that let you spread the cost over several months. You may also be may be able to access for the SAWS Customer information Program if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. That program can reduce your bill or cover past-due amounts.

To explore for information, call 210-704-7297 or visit saws.org and look for information about their information programs. You will need to provide proof of income and household size.

What to do if you have questions about your bill

If your bill seems wrong — for example, if your water usage jumped suddenly — call SAWS at 210-704-7297 to ask about it. A representative can review your account history and check for leaks or meter problems. Do not ignore a high bill; sometimes a leak on your property is the cause, and catching it early saves money.

If you are moving and need to close your account, call at least three business days before your move date. SAWS will schedule a final meter reading and send you a closing bill. You can also request a final bill online through your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the due date by a few days?

SAWS charges a 1.5% late fee on the unpaid balance. If you are only a few days late, pay as soon as you can to stop the fee from growing. You will not face disconnection until you are 30 days past due, but the late fee compounds each month, so do not wait.

Can I set up a payment plan if I owe a lot?

Yes. Call SAWS customer service at 210-704-7297 and explain your situation. They can arrange a payment plan that spreads your balance over several months. You must keep current on the plan payments to avoid disconnection.

Is there a way to lower my bill if I cannot afford it?

SAWS offers the Customer information Program for households at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. The program can reduce your monthly bill or cover past-due amounts. Call 210-704-7297 to ask about it and find out what documents you need to provide.

How long does it take for an online payment to show up?

Online payments made through saws.org post the same day or by the next business day. Payments made through your bank's bill-pay system may take longer — up to 5 business days — so use SAWS's website directly if you need the payment to post quickly.

What if I pay online but my account still shows past due?

Online payments can take up to one business day to post. If you paid before the due date and your account still shows late the next day, call SAWS to confirm the payment was received. If there is an error, they can correct it and remove the late fee.