SAWS bill pay lets you settle your San Antonio Water System account through their website, by phone, or through the mail
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) offers several ways to pay your water and wastewater bill. The fastest route is online through their website at saws.org, where you can pay immediately using a bank account or debit card. You can also pay by phone at 210-704-7297, set up automatic payments so the bill comes out on a fixed date each month, or mail a check to the address printed on your bill.
Which method you choose depends on how much control you want over the timing and whether you prefer a paper trail. Online and phone payments post within one business day. Mailed checks take longer — typically five to seven business days from when SAWS receives them — so if you are close to a due date, mail is riskier.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay online at saws.org, by phone at 210-704-7297, or by mail using the payment coupon on your bill.
- Online and phone payments post within one business day; mailed checks take five to seven days after SAWS receives them.
- Setting up automatic payments through your bank account removes the risk of late payment but requires you to monitor your account balance.
- SAWS does not charge a fee for online payments made from a bank account, but some third-party payment processors may charge a convenience fee.
- If your bill is overdue, contact SAWS directly before your service is disconnected — they may offer a payment plan.
Paying online through the SAWS website
Log in to your account at saws.org using your account number and password. If you do not have a login yet, you can create one by entering your account number and the amount of your last bill. Once you are logged in, select "Pay My Bill" and enter the amount you want to pay.
You will be asked to choose a payment method: bank account (no fee) or debit card (SAWS does not charge a fee, but your bank or card issuer may). Enter your payment information and confirm the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number immediately, and the payment will post to your account within one business day.
Paying online is the safest option if you are near a due date because you know exactly when the payment goes through. You can also set up a one-time payment or schedule recurring payments for the same day each month.
Automatic payments and recurring bill pay
If you want to remove the step of paying each month, you can set up automatic payments through your SAWS online account. Choose the date you want the payment to come out — typically the same day your bill is due or a few days after — and the amount (your full bill or a fixed amount you choose).
Automatic payments pull from your bank account on the schedule you set. This works well if your bill is roughly the same each month, but if your usage varies significantly, you may overpay or underpay. Check your account balance before the payment date to make sure the funds are there.
You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account. If you need to stop a payment before it processes, contact SAWS as soon as possible — they may be able to halt it if you call before the payment date.
Paying by phone
Call SAWS at 210-704-7297 to pay by phone. Have your account number and a debit card or bank account information ready. A representative will walk you through the payment and provide a confirmation number. Phone payments post within one business day, just like online payments.
Phone payment is useful if you have questions about your bill or account at the same time you are paying, or if you are not comfortable entering payment information online. SAWS does not charge a fee for phone payments made from a bank account.
Paying by mail
If you prefer to pay by check or money order, use the payment coupon attached to your bill. Write your account number on the check and mail it to the address shown on the coupon. Do not mail cash.
Mailed payments take five to seven business days to reach SAWS after you drop them in the mail, and another day or two to post to your account. If your due date is within a week, mailing a check is risky — the payment may not arrive in time to avoid a late fee. For bills due soon, use online or phone payment instead.
Keep a copy of the coupon or take a photo of the check for your records. If you are concerned the payment did not arrive, you can check your account online or call SAWS to confirm.
Late payments and what happens if you miss the due date
SAWS charges a late fee if your payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The fee amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. If you are a few days late, you may still be able to pay without service being disconnected, but SAWS will add the late fee to your next bill.
If your account becomes significantly overdue (usually 30 to 60 days past due), SAWS may disconnect your water service. Before that happens, you will receive a notice. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact SAWS immediately at 210-704-7297 to ask about a payment plan. They may allow you to spread the overdue balance over several months rather than disconnecting service.
If your service has been disconnected, you will need to pay the overdue balance plus a reconnection fee to restore water. This makes it much more expensive than paying on time, so reaching out early if you are struggling is important.
Third-party payment services and convenience fees
Some people use third-party bill payment services like PayPal, Venmo, or their bank's bill pay feature to send money to SAWS. These services may charge you a convenience fee (usually a few dollars) even though SAWS itself does not charge a fee for online payments. Before using a third-party service, check whether a fee applies.
The safest approach is to pay directly through saws.org or by calling SAWS, since you know exactly what you are paying and there are no hidden fees. If you use your bank's bill pay feature, confirm with your bank that they are sending the payment to the correct SAWS address and that it will arrive by your due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my SAWS bill without creating an online account?
Yes. You can pay by phone at 210-704-7297 or by mailing a check with the payment coupon from your bill. You do not need an online account to pay, though having one makes it easier to track your payment and see your balance.
What if I pay online but my payment does not show up the next day?
Online payments typically post within one business day, but weekends and holidays can delay posting. Check your account a few days later. If the payment still does not appear, contact SAWS at 210-704-7297 with your confirmation number and they can investigate.
Does SAWS charge a fee if I pay by debit card online?
SAWS does not charge a fee for debit card payments made through their website. However, your bank or card issuer may charge a fee depending on your account type. Check with your bank if you are unsure.
Can I set up automatic payments for a different amount each month?
No. Automatic payments are for a fixed amount that you choose. If your bill varies significantly month to month, you may want to pay manually each month instead so you can adjust the amount based on your actual bill.
What should I do if I cannot afford my water bill?
Contact SAWS at 210-704-7297 to discuss your situation. They may offer a payment plan that spreads your bill over several months, or they may have information about assistance programs in San Antonio. Reaching out before your account becomes overdue gives you more options.