How to pay your SAWS bill online, by phone, or by mail
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) offers four main ways to pay your bill: online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest and most convenient method is online payment through the SAWS website or mobile app, which processes immediately and requires no fees. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can call SAWS customer service at 210-704-7297 to pay by phone using a debit or credit card, or mail a check to the address printed on your bill.
Each payment method has different timing. Online and phone payments post to your account the same day. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to reach SAWS and be recorded, so mail your check early if your due date is approaching. If you need to pay in person, SAWS has payment centers in San Antonio where you can hand over cash, check, or card — ask your bill for the nearest location or call customer service for addresses and hours.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through the SAWS website or app is free and posts the same day, making it the fastest option for most people.
- Phone payments at 210-704-7297 also post the same day but require you to have your account number and a debit or credit card ready.
- Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days, so send your check at least two weeks before the due date to avoid a late fee.
- SAWS charges a late fee if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, regardless of which method you use.
- You can set up automatic monthly payments through the SAWS website to avoid missing a due date.
Paying online through the SAWS website or app
The SAWS website at saws.org has a "Pay My Bill" section where you can log in with your account number and pay immediately. You will need your account number (found on your bill) and either a bank account or debit/credit card. Online payments are free and show as paid the same day, even if you pay after business hours.
SAWS also offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Download it from your phone's app store, search for "SAWS", and log in with the same account information. The app works the same way as the website and is useful if you want to pay while away from home or check your balance on the go.
If you do not have an online account yet, you will need to create one before your first payment. Go to saws.org, click "Create Account", and enter your account number, service address, and email. SAWS will send you a confirmation email with a link to set your password. This takes about five minutes and only needs to happen once.
Paying by phone or automatic payment
Call SAWS customer service at 210-704-7297 to pay by phone. Have your account number and debit or credit card ready. A representative will process your payment over the phone, and it will post the same day. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time. There is no fee for phone payments.
If you want to stop worrying about due dates, set up automatic monthly payments through the SAWS website. Log into your account, go to "Billing & Payments", and select "Autopay". You can choose to pay the full bill amount or a fixed amount each month, and payments will come from your bank account or card on a date you choose. You can change or cancel autopay anytime through your online account.
Paying by mail or in person
To pay by mail, write a check or money order with your account number on the back and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Do not send cash through the mail. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be recorded, so send your payment at least two weeks before the due date if you want to be certain it arrives on time. SAWS will charge a late fee if the payment is not received by the due date, even if you mailed it early.
If you prefer to pay in person, SAWS has payment centers in San Antonio where you can pay with cash, check, or card. Call 210-704-7297 to find the nearest location and confirm hours, as they vary. In-person payments are recorded immediately and you will receive a receipt on the spot.
Understanding your due date and late fees
Your bill shows a due date, usually 20 to 25 days after the bill is mailed. If payment is not received by that date, SAWS will charge a late fee. The late fee amount depends on your bill total and is shown on your bill or in your online account. Late fees are added to your next bill.
If you miss a due date, pay as soon as you can. SAWS does not charge interest on overdue amounts, but the late fee is added immediately. If you fall behind on multiple months, SAWS may shut off your water service without further notice. If your service is shut off, you will need to pay the full overdue balance plus a reconnection fee to restore water.
If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact SAWS customer service at 210-704-7297 to discuss your options. SAWS offers payment plans for customers who cannot pay the full amount at once, though you will still need to pay the late fee if one has already been charged.
What to do if your payment does not go through
If you paid online or by phone and received a confirmation number, your payment went through. Check your online account a few hours later to confirm the payment posted. If you do not see it within 24 hours, call SAWS at 210-704-7297 with your confirmation number and they will investigate.
If you paid by mail and your due date has passed but the payment has not posted to your account, call SAWS with your check number and the date you mailed it. SAWS can sometimes locate a check in transit and confirm it was received. If the check was lost, SAWS may waive the late fee if you can show proof you mailed it on time — keep a copy of the envelope or a photo of the check before you mail it.
If a payment was declined (for example, your card was declined or your bank rejected the transaction), you will receive a notice from SAWS. Pay again immediately using a different payment method to avoid a late fee. If you are unsure why a payment failed, call customer service and they can tell you what went wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my SAWS bill with a credit card online?
Yes, you can use a credit or debit card to pay online through saws.org or the SAWS mobile app. There is no fee for online card payments. You can also pay by card over the phone at 210-704-7297.
What happens if I pay after the due date?
SAWS will charge a late fee if payment is not received by the due date on your bill. The fee is added to your next bill. If you continue to miss payments, SAWS may shut off your water service without further notice.
How long does it take for a mailed check to post?
Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be recorded. Mail your check at least two weeks before the due date to be safe. If the due date is sooner, use online or phone payment instead.
Can I set up autopay and then cancel it later?
Yes. You can set up automatic monthly payments through your SAWS online account and cancel or change them anytime. Log into your account, go to "Billing & Payments", and select "Autopay" to manage your settings.
What do I do if my water is shut off for non-payment?
Call SAWS at 210-704-7297 immediately to pay the full overdue balance plus the reconnection fee. Once payment is confirmed, SAWS will restore your service, usually within 24 hours. If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about a payment plan.