Pay your SAWS bill online, by phone, or by mail

San Antonio Water System (SAWS) offers several ways to pay your water and wastewater bill. You can pay online through their website without creating an account, call their automated phone line, mail a check, or pay in person at a SAWS office. The fastest route is online payment, which processes immediately and requires only your account number and the amount due.

Your bill arrives monthly and shows your water usage, charges, and due date. Most customers have 20 days from the bill date to pay before a late fee applies. Knowing your account number — printed on the front of your bill — makes any payment method faster.

Key Takeaways

  • SAWS accepts online payments at saws.org without requiring you to create a login account.
  • You can pay by phone at 210-704-7297 using an automated system that accepts debit or credit cards.
  • Mailing a check takes 7 to 10 days to reach SAWS, so send it early if your due date is approaching.
  • In-person payment at a SAWS office or authorized payment location accepts cash, check, or card.
  • Setting up automatic payments through your bank can prevent missed due dates and late fees.

Online payment without logging in

Go to saws.org and look for the "Pay My Bill" button on the homepage. Click it and you will see a payment form that does not require you to create an account. Enter your account number (found on your bill), the amount you want to pay, and your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account.

Online payments process the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. Central Time on a business day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends process the next business day. You will receive a confirmation number immediately after payment, which you should save for your records.

Phone payment through automated system

Call SAWS at 210-704-7297 to reach their automated payment line. Have your account number and payment method ready. The system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account information. You do not need to speak to a person unless you choose the option to do so.

The automated line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After you enter your information, the system will confirm the amount and processing date before finalizing the payment. Save the confirmation number provided at the end of the call.

Mailing a check or money order

Write your account number on the check or money order and mail it to the address shown on your bill. SAWS processes mailed payments at their lockbox, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days to clear. If your due date is within two weeks, do not rely on mail — use online or phone payment instead.

Include only the check or money order in the envelope; do not send cash through the mail. If you need to know whether your payment arrived, call SAWS customer service at 210-704-7297 and ask them to look up your account.

In-person payment at SAWS locations

SAWS has payment drop boxes and customer service offices throughout San Antonio. You can pay in person with cash, check, or card at any staffed office during business hours. Drop boxes accept payments 24 hours a day but only process checks and money orders — not cash or cards.

To find the nearest office or drop box, visit saws.org or call 210-704-7297. Bring your account number and payment method. In-person payments at staffed locations are recorded immediately, so you receive a receipt on the spot.

Setting up automatic payments

You can arrange for SAWS to withdraw your payment automatically from your bank account each month. This prevents missed due dates and late fees. To set up autopay, log into your account on saws.org, call 210-704-7297, or visit a SAWS office in person.

You can choose to pay the full bill amount or a fixed amount each month. You can change or cancel autopay at any time. Automatic payments typically process on the due date or a date you select, and you will receive a confirmation for each transaction.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

If you cannot pay your bill by the due date, contact SAWS before the late fee is added. Call 210-704-7297 and ask about payment arrangements or hardship programs. SAWS may be able to set up a payment plan that spreads your balance over several months, which can make the bill more manageable.

If your account falls significantly behind, SAWS may restrict or disconnect your service. Contacting them early — even if you can only pay part of the bill — keeps your account in better standing and shows good faith effort to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my SAWS bill online?

SAWS does not charge a fee for online payments made through their website. Some third-party payment processors may charge a small fee, but the official SAWS payment portal is free.

Can I pay someone else's SAWS bill?

Yes. You can pay any SAWS account using the online portal or phone line if you have the account number. You do not need to be the account holder. Provide the account number and the amount you want to pay.

What happens if I pay after the due date?

A late fee is added to your account if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. Paying as soon as possible after the due date stops additional late fees from accumulating.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Online and phone payments show a confirmation number immediately. For mailed payments, wait 10 business days, then call 210-704-7297 and provide your account number. SAWS can tell you the date your payment was recorded.

Can I change my payment due date?

SAWS assigns due dates based on your meter reading cycle, so you cannot change it directly. However, you can set up autopay to process on a different date each month if that works better for your budget.