I remember when I first moved to San Antonio. The Texas sun was relentless, and the first thing I did after unloading boxes was gulp down a tall glass of tap water. It was cool and refreshing, but it got me thinking. Where does this water actually come from? Who makes sure it’s safe? And a few weeks later, when that first blue and white bill from SAWS arrived in my mailbox, I had a whole new set of questions.
If you’ve ever found yourself puzzled by your water bill or curious about the journey your water takes to get to your tap, you’re not alone. The San Antonio Water System, or SAWS as everyone calls it here, is a cornerstone of our community. It’s more than just a utility company; it’s the guardian of our most precious resource in this semi-arid climate. In this guide, I want to walk you through everything SAWS does, from the depths of the Edwards Aquifer to the faucet in your kitchen, and help you become a more informed water customer.
What is SAWS? More Than Just Your Water Bill
Let’s start with the basics. SAWS is the public utility company responsible for providing water and wastewater services to over 2 million people in the San Antonio region. Think of them as the managers of our city’s entire water lifecycle. They don’t just pump water to your home; they also collect the wastewater, treat it to an incredibly high standard, and ensure it’s safely returned to the environment or reused.
What many people don’t realize is that SAWS is one of the largest public water utilities in the United States. Being a public utility means it’s owned by the city, and its primary goal is service, not profit. Any revenue generated is reinvested right back into maintaining and improving the system—fixing old pipes, building new infrastructure, and funding conservation programs. This is a crucial point because it shapes their priorities, especially in a place where water can be scarce.
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Where Your Water Comes From: The Lifeblood of the Edwards Aquifer
This is my favorite part of the story, and it’s what makes San Antonio’s water situation so unique. The vast majority of our drinking water—about 90%—comes from a single, incredible source: the Edwards Aquifer.
Now, an aquifer isn’t a giant underground lake. I used to picture a massive cavern full of water, but that’s not quite right. Imagine a giant, porous sponge made of limestone rock, saturated with water, trapped between layers of harder rock. This sponge stretches for miles underground, and when it rains in the right areas, the water seeps down through the ground, slowly filling up this natural storage system. That’s the Edwards Aquifer.
It’s a phenomenal natural resource, but it’s also a vulnerable one. The level of water in the aquifer, measured at the J-17 well index, is a daily topic of concern, especially during a drought. When levels drop, SAWS has to implement stricter watering rules to reduce demand. This direct connection between our usage and the source is something you feel living here. You learn to pay attention to the aquifer level just like you check the weather forecast.
To ensure we aren’t solely dependent on the aquifer, SAWS has been diversifying our water sources for decades. This includes projects like the Vista Ridge pipeline, which brings water from Burleson County, and a massive investment in recycled water. In fact, San Antonio is a national leader in water recycling. The water you use to wash your dishes goes to a SAWS treatment plant, gets purified, and is then used for irrigation in parks, golf courses, and even by some industrial customers. This clever system saves billions of gallons of drinking water every year.
Is San Antonio Tap Water Safe? Reading the Quality Report
This is the question at the top of everyone’s mind, especially if you have young children or are new to the area. The short and direct answer is yes, San Antonio’s tap water is very safe to drink. It meets or exceeds all federal and state water quality standards.
But how can you be sure? SAWS proves it every year by publishing its Water Quality Report, sometimes called the Consumer Confidence Report. I make a point to skim through it when it comes out, and I encourage you to do the same. It can look intimidating at first, full of charts and scientific terms, but it’s not too hard to understand once you know what you’re looking for.
The report lists all the potential contaminants that regulators test for, things like lead, copper, nitrates, and various bacteria. Next to each one, it shows the legal limit and the actual amount found in our water. In virtually every case, the level found in San Antonio’s water is significantly below the legal limit. For example, you might see that the EPA’s action level for lead is 15 parts per billion, but the amount detected in our system is non-detectable or something like 2 parts per billion.
The water goes through a rigorous treatment process, including disinfection with chlorine, to kill any harmful microorganisms. Sometimes you can taste or smell the chlorine, especially if you live closer to a treatment plant. This isn’t a sign of danger; it’s a sign that the water is being protected from bacteria as it travels through the pipes. If you don’t like the taste, a simple pitcher filter or keeping a jug of water in the fridge will usually take care of it. Personally, I find our tap water tastes great, and I drink it every day without a second thought.
Paying Your Bill and Managing Your Account: A Simple Guide
Ah, the SAWS bill. It’s a familiar sight in mailboxes across the city. When I first saw mine, I’ll admit I was a bit confused. It has a lot of numbers and charges. Let me break it down for you.
Your bill is based on how many hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water you use. One HCF is about 748 gallons. The bill will show your current usage and often compare it to your usage from the same time last year, which is a handy feature. The charges are typically broken down into a few categories: a base fee for service (which you pay even if you use zero water), the actual water usage charge, a wastewater fee (which is often based on your winter water usage, as that’s assumed to be what goes down the drain), and a drainage fee.
The easiest way to manage all of this is by setting up a MySAWS account online. I did this years ago, and it’s a game-changer. Through the website or the mobile app, you can:
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View your current bill and past bills in detail.
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Set up automatic payments so you never forget a due date.
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Monitor your daily water usage, which can help you spot a leak early.
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Pay your bill with a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer.
If you prefer, you can also pay by phone, mail a check, or pay in person at a SAWS payment center. The key is to find the method that works best for you and stick with it.
Why Conservation is King in San Antonio
If you take away only one thing from this guide, let it be the importance of water conservation in San Antonio. Our city is a shining example of how to grow and thrive while using water wisely. We use the same amount of water today as we did in the 1980s, despite adding over a million new residents. That’s an incredible achievement, and it’s a direct result of a community-wide commitment to conservation.
This isn’t just about taking shorter showers. SAWS has built one of the most robust conservation programs in the country. They offer generous rebates if you replace your thirsty grass with water-efficient, native landscaping through the WaterSaver Landscape Coupon program. They have rebates for installing efficient toilets and smart irrigation controllers. They even have a program where they will do a free water audit of your home to find hidden leaks and suggest ways to save.
Then there are the watering rules. These are based on the current stage of the Edwards Aquifer. In the summer, you’ll see signs everywhere reminding you of the rules. For most of the year, we are under Stage 2 watering rules, which means you can only use sprinklers one day a week, assigned by your address, before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. It becomes a rhythm of life here. You learn to water your lawn on your designated day and to embrace beautiful, drought-tolerant plants like lantana and esperanza that don’t need much water at all. This collective effort is what keeps our aquifer healthy and our city resilient.
Getting Help: SAWS Customer Service and Assistance Programs
Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes paying a bill on time is a struggle. SAWS understands this and offers several programs to help customers in need.
The Affordability Discount Program (ADP) provides a monthly discount on the service fee for eligible low-income customers. The Bill Assistance for Safer Homes (BASH) program helps customers who are facing high bills due to a leak they have since repaired. And in times of crisis, like during the winter storm a few years back, SAWS often suspends late fees and offers flexible payment plans.
If you ever have a problem—a question about your bill, a suspected leak, or need to start new service—the SAWS customer service team is your first point of contact. You can call them, email them, or even use the online chat feature. In my experience, they are patient and helpful, especially when you have all your account information ready. Remember, they are there to help you manage this essential service.
Conclusion
The San Antonio Water System is a complex, forward-thinking organization that does far more than send you a bill every month. It is the steward of our relationship with the Edwards Aquifer, a leader in water conservation and recycling, and a vital partner in making our city a sustainable place to live. Understanding how SAWS works, from the source of your water to the details on your bill, empowers you to be a responsible water citizen. By using water wisely and taking advantage of the tools and programs SAWS offers, we can all play a part in ensuring that San Antonio continues to thrive for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I set up a new SAWS account when I move to a new home?
You can start new service easily on the SAWS website or by calling customer service. You will need your personal information, your new address, and the date you want service to begin. There is usually a deposit required for new customers.
2. My SAWS bill seems extremely high. What should I do?
First, check for leaks. A running toilet is the most common culprit. Turn off all water in your home and check your water meter. If the small triangle or dial is still spinning, you likely have a leak. You can also view your daily usage in your MySAWS account to pinpoint when the high usage started.
3. What are the current watering rules in San Antonio?
The rules change based on the Edwards Aquifer level. The best place to check the current stage and your assigned watering day is the official SAWS website. They have a simple tool where you can enter your address.
4. Is it better to water my lawn in the morning or evening?
Always water before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. This prevents water from evaporating quickly in the hot sun. Watering at night, however, can sometimes promote fungal growth on your lawn, so early morning is generally considered the ideal time.
5. Who do I call if I have a water emergency, like a broken water main or a sewer backup?
For any water or sewer emergency, day or night, call the SAWS 24-hour emergency line at (210) 704-7297.
