Setting Up Utilities in San Antonio, TX
Your complete guide to setting up water, electricity, internet, and gas service in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Utility Guide
reviewed by
ENRI ZHULATI
Setting up utilities in San Antonio requires coordinating with several different providers for essential services. This guide walks you through the process of establishing water, electricity, gas, and internet service at your new residence. San Antonio has specific providers for each utility type, and understanding who to contact and what documentation you’ll need can save you time during your move. Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for connecting each service.
Water service in San Antonio
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) provides water service throughout San Antonio and much of Bexar County. As a public utility owned by the City of San Antonio, SAWS serves over 511,300 water customers across the region. New residents can establish service online at saws.org, through the customer portal at myaccount.saws.org, or by calling 210-704-7297. The main office is located at 2800 U.S. Highway 281 North, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
Phone: 210-704-7297
Website: https://www.saws.org
Office: 2800 U.S. Highway 281 North, San Antonio, TX 78212
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Deposit: $100 for new residential customers (standard); $50 reduced deposit available for income-qualified customers through the Uplift assistance program. Deposit may be waived with a letter of credit from another utility company. A $10-12 Meter Trip Fee is also assessed to turn on service.
Sewage Service
SAWS provides wastewater services alongside water service, so there’s no separate signup required. Sewer charges are calculated based on your average winter water usage, measured over 90 days between mid-November and mid-March. This averaging method helps ensure customers aren’t charged sewer fees for water used on lawns or gardens during warmer months.
Garbage & Recycling
The City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department handles trash collection. Service begins automatically when you establish your CPS Energy account—no separate signup is needed. Monthly fees appear on your CPS Energy bill and vary by cart size: $14.76 for 48-gallon, $20.26 for 64-gallon, or $30.75 for 96-gallon carts. Blue recycling carts and green organics carts are provided at no extra charge. Collection schedules vary by address; enter your address at sa.gov to find your collection day and place carts out by 7:00 AM.
SAWS requires at least 5 business days' notice for service transfers and cannot process requests more than 30 days in advance. Service cannot be scheduled for weekends or SAWS holidays, so plan your move-in date accordingly.
The standard deposit for new residential customers is $100. Income-qualified customers may be eligible for a reduced $50 deposit through the Uplift assistance program. The deposit can be waived with a letter of credit from another utility company. A $10-12 meter trip fee also applies.
You'll need a government-issued photo ID to establish service. If you want to waive the security deposit, you can also provide a letter of credit from another utility company. Documents can be submitted online through the SAWS customer portal.
Electricity in San Antonio
San Antonio operates outside of Texas’s deregulated electricity market, meaning residents receive power from a single designated utility rather than choosing between competing providers. CPS Energy, a municipal utility, serves as the sole electricity provider for the San Antonio area. To establish service, residents can apply online through CPS Energy’s Manage My Account portal or call (210) 353-2222. Plan for at least two business days notice when setting up new service.
CPS Energy
Phone: (210) 353-2222
Website: https://secure.cpsenergy.com/mma/moveInData.jsp
Deposit: Deposit may be required based on credit check. Amount varies depending on credit score and expected energy usage. Deposit is refunded with interest after approximately one year of on-time payments. Military members relocating to San Antonio may have deposit waived.
Setup: Apply online through Manage My Account portal, by phone at (210) 353-2222, or visit a walk-in service center. Provide identification (driver's license or SSN), service address, and allow at least 2 business days notice. Service requests can be processed up to 30 days in advance but not on weekends or holidays.
Internet providers in San Antonio
San Antonio residents have access to a competitive internet market with five major providers offering diverse connection options. Available technologies include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless services, giving households flexibility based on their location and speed requirements. Fiber coverage continues to expand throughout the city, while cable and fixed wireless options provide reliable alternatives in areas where fiber hasn’t yet reached.
AT&T
Major telecommunications provider offering fiber and DSL internet services across much of San Antonio with various speed tiers.
Spectrum
Cable internet provider delivering widespread coverage throughout San Antonio with no data caps on residential plans.
Google Fiber
Fiber-optic provider available in select San Antonio neighborhoods, known for symmetrical upload and download speeds.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Fixed wireless service using T-Mobile's cellular network, offering an alternative where traditional wired connections are limited.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Fixed wireless internet utilizing Verizon's 5G network, available in select areas of San Antonio.
Internet FAQ
San Antonio offers three main connection types: fiber-optic, cable, and fixed wireless. Fiber provides the fastest speeds and is available from AT&T and Google Fiber. Cable service comes through Spectrum, while T-Mobile and Verizon offer fixed wireless options.
Fiber coverage varies by neighborhood in San Antonio. AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber have expanded significantly but don't cover all areas. Residents should verify availability at their specific address, as coverage can differ even between nearby streets.
Internet speeds in San Antonio range from around 200 Mbps on basic plans to 5 Gbps on premium fiber services. Cable typically offers up to 1 Gbps, while fixed wireless speeds vary based on network conditions and location.
Natural gas service in San Antonio
CPS Energy provides natural gas service to San Antonio and portions of seven surrounding counties, serving over 373,998 gas customers as the nation’s largest municipally owned energy utility. Natural gas is common but not required in San Antonio, with many homes using it for heating, water heaters, and cooking appliances. Grey Forest Utilities serves a smaller area in northwest metropolitan San Antonio, including Dominion, Crownridge, and parts of Helotes.
CPS Energy
Phone: (210) 353-2222
Website: https://www.cpsenergy.com
Deposit: A deposit may be required based on credit check results. The deposit amount varies depending on credit score and expected energy usage. Military members relocating to San Antonio may qualify for deposit waiver. Deposits are refunded with interest after a period of on-time payments (typically around one year).
Setup: New service can be set up online through the Manage My Account portal at cpsenergy.com/startservice. Create an account, provide your new address, move-in date, Social Security Number or Tax ID for credit verification, and a government-issued ID. CPS Energy requires two business days' prior notice for all new electric or natural gas accounts. Service can also be set up by phone at (210) 353-2222 or in person at Customer Service Centers.
New service can be established online at cpsenergy.com/startservice, by phone at (210) 353-2222, or at Customer Service Centers. You'll need your new address, move-in date, Social Security Number, and government-issued ID. CPS Energy requires two business days' notice for new accounts.
A deposit may be required based on credit check results, with amounts varying by credit score and expected usage. Military members relocating to San Antonio may qualify for a deposit waiver. Deposits are typically refunded with interest after approximately one year of on-time payments.
For gas emergencies, call CPS Energy's 24/7 emergency line at (210) 353-4357. Leave the area immediately without using electrical switches or open flames. Before any digging projects on your property, call 811 to locate underground gas lines.
Common questions about utilities in San Antonio
San Antonio residents typically need to establish four main utilities: electricity (through a retail electric provider of your choice), water and wastewater service (through San Antonio Water System), natural gas (through CenterPoint Energy), and internet/cable service. Some apartments include certain utilities, so verify with your landlord before setting up accounts.
Electricity can typically be connected within 24-48 hours, sometimes same-day. SAWS water service usually requires 2-3 business days for new connections. CenterPoint gas service generally takes 3-5 business days. Plan to initiate all utility requests at least one week before your move-in date to ensure everything is active upon arrival.
Most San Antonio utilities require government-issued photo ID, your new service address, and Social Security number for credit verification. You may also need your lease agreement or closing documents. SAWS specifically requires proof of residency. Some providers accept alternative identification if you lack a Social Security number, such as an ITIN.
Electricity providers and CenterPoint gas service offer full online enrollment. Internet providers also support online signup. However, as of February 2026, SAWS requires new residential customers to visit a customer service center in person to establish water service, bringing required identification and residency documentation. Plan accordingly for this in-person step.