San Antonio, TX
Water service lines in San Antonio: SAWS inventory and free inspections
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
SAWS's service line inventory covers both its lateral from the main to the meter and the customer's line from the meter to the house. More than half of the 600,000-plus customer lines were unidentified, so SAWS sends yearly letters to customers with unknown, lead or galvanized lines, and offers free inspections to customers with homes built before 1989 who register at saws.org/lead.
What's different in San Antonio
The inventory covers both the SAWS-owned lateral from the main to the meter and the customer-owned line from the meter to the building, classified as lead, non-lead, unknown or galvanized requiring replacement. [1]
SAWS must notify customers every year whose service line is lead, unknown or galvanized requiring replacement, with letters beginning October 16. [1]
SAWS customers with homes built before 1989 who register at saws.org/lead may qualify for a free service line inspection. [2]
San Antonio has more than 600,000 customer service lines, more than half of unidentified material. [2]
What to do with a SAWS letter
Check your home's age
Built before 1989? Register for the free inspection.
Look yourself
Check the pipe at the meter box and where it enters the house; see how to identify lead pipes.
Keep records
A plumber's replacement invoice updates your record.
Leaks on the customer line
The line past the meter is yours; see San Antonio frozen pipes for the meter shutoff, Plumbers to People if you qualify for free repair, and SAWS leak adjustments.
What San Antonio homeowners usually check next
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomWater bill suddenly high
- SymptomNo water in the house
Common questions
What does the SAWS service line inventory cover?
Both the SAWS lateral from main to meter and the customer line from meter to house.
Does SAWS inspect service lines for free?
Customers with homes built before 1989 who register at saws.org/lead may qualify.
Why did SAWS send me a service line letter?
Your line is listed as lead, unknown or galvanized requiring replacement; SAWS notifies these customers every year.
How many San Antonio service lines are unidentified?
More than half of over 600,000 customer lines.
When do SAWS service line letters go out?
Beginning October 16 each year.
Does unknown mean my San Antonio line is lead?
Not necessarily; SAWS simply has no confirmed record yet, which an inspection can fix.
Who owns the water line from the meter to my house?
The customer; SAWS owns the lateral from the main to the meter.
How do I register for a SAWS inspection?
At saws.org/lead.
What counts as galvanized requiring replacement?
Galvanized lines that sat downstream of lead and could hold lead, under federal rules.
Can I update my record after replacing my line?
Yes; keep the plumber's invoice or permit as proof.
More plumbing help in San Antonio
- Backflow Testing in San AntonioSAWS backflow testing rules for San Antonio: the June 30 annual deadline, the codes behind it, reminder notices, and what a 10-day notice means.
- Toilet Installation in San AntonioSAWS toilet rebates in San Antonio: the current high-efficiency toilet rebate, which toilets qualify, SAWS's history of free toilet programs, and installation tips.
- Water bill suddenly high in San AntonioA high SAWS bill usually means a leak. How to find it, which leaks SAWS reviews for a credit, the 60-day deadline after repair, and the paperwork it wants.
- Sewer Line Repair in San AntonioSan Antonio sewer clogs: a licensed plumber clears your side, and if the blockage is past your property, SAWS may reimburse costs. Marking, the call and paperwork.
- Pipe Repair in San AntonioSAWS Plumbers to People: free repairs of leaking faucets, toilets and broken pipes for income-qualified homeowners, who qualifies, and what isn't covered.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in San AntonioFrozen pipes in San Antonio: pipes past the SAWS meter are the owner's, how to shut water off at the meter, SAWS freeze tips, and what not to do.
- Drain backing up in San AntonioWhy San Antonio drains back up: grease causes nearly 70% of local sewer blockages, the surprising sources of it, safe checks, and how to get rid of grease.
- Water Line Repair: the full guideSigns the water service line from the meter to your house is leaking, who owns it, repair vs. replacement, lead lines, and trenchless options.
- Plumbing in San AntonioLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls San Antonio homes need most.
How other cities handle it
- Lead service line replacement in ChicagoHow lead water service line replacement works in Chicago: free and fee-waived city programs, who qualifies, what state law requires, and what the job involves.
- Lead service line replacement in DetroitHow Detroit and Michigan law handle lead water service line replacement: who pays, full-line requirements, timelines, and what homeowners should do meanwhile.
- Lead service line replacement in DenverHow Denver Water replaces customer-owned lead service lines with copper at no direct cost, which homes are most likely affected, and what to do while you wait.
- Lead service line replacement in MilwaukeeHow Milwaukee's lead service line rules work: when full replacement is required, what homeowners pay, how to look up your address, and what to do while you wait.
- Lead service line replacement in CincinnatiHow Greater Cincinnati Water Works replaces private lead service lines: who pays, who gets priority, how long the program runs, and how to get started.
- Lead service line replacement in PittsburghPittsburgh Water lead line programs: neighborhood replacements, free income-qualified replacement, plumber reimbursement, and how to apply.
- Lead service line replacement in BostonHow Boston Water and Sewer Commission's free lead service replacement works: free inspection, free replacement, how to check your address, and what to expect.
- Lead service line replacement in ClevelandWhen Cleveland Water replaces your side of a lead line for free, how galvanized pipe is handled, yearly targets, and what to do next.
- Lead service line replacement in St. LouisSt. Louis lead service lines: the city's inventory, why rates can't pay for the private side, grant and loan help, and what owners can do now.
- Lead service line replacement in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia lead service lines: owner responsibility, free replacement during main work, the free ZIP-code pilot, and 0% HELP loans.
- Water and sewer service line repair in New York CityNYC owners own their water and sewer service lines: DEP 3-day and 30-day notices, the licensed master plumber rule, permits and the $1,000 shutoff fee.
- Water and sewer line repair in New OrleansWho pays for water and sewer service connections in New Orleans: Sewerage and Water Board rules, owner responsibility on post-1954 lots, and Board-caused damage.
- Water service line repair in Kansas CityKC Water service line rules: the City maintains mains to the curb box, owners repair from the curb stop to the house under Ordinance 78-22, and warranty options.
- Lead water service line replacement in Washington, DCLead service lines in Washington, DC: who pays for each side, Block-by-Block replacement of the private side at no cost, and what to do before your block comes up.
- Lead service line replacement in ProvidenceLead service lines in Providence: Providence Water's free private-side replacement for eligible customers, 10-year 0% loans, and the free public-side match.
- Lead service line replacement in Des MoinesLead service lines in Des Moines: Des Moines Water Works' free replacement funded by a $52.6M state loan, the Drake first phase, and how to check your line.
- Water line leaks in Phoenix: the meter decides who paysWater line leaks in Phoenix: the city repairs the street side of the meter, the owner the rest, and city code makes customers pay for water lost past the meter.
- Water and sewer service lines in CharlotteCharlotte water and sewer service lines: Charlotte Water handles mains to the curb, owners handle the laterals from curb to home, and what that means for leaks.
- Water line leaks in AustinWater line leaks in Austin: Austin Water owns the line to the meter box near the sidewalk, owners own everything past it.
- Water service line leaks in BuffaloBuffalo water service lines: the line from the city main to the house is private, the owner keeps up the curb box and valve, and what Buffalo Water will do for free.
- Lead service lines in Newark after the replacement programNewark replaced its 18,720-plus lead service lines at no cost to residents, funded by city and Essex County bonds. What's left to check in an older Newark home.
- Lead service line replacement in Jersey CityJersey City's Lead Free JC: about 16,000 lead lines to replace by June 2031 at no direct cost, JCMUA contractors or your own with a credit, and the inventory lookup.
- Water service line repair in SeattleSeattle water lines: owners install and maintain the private line from the city union to the house, and how SPU's leak adjustments treat city-side and.
- Water service lines in Fort WorthFort Worth service lines: the city owns the line to and including the meter, owners own the rest, the lead inventory shows no lead lines.
- Houston water service lines: the inventory and 'unknown material' lettersHouston's service line inventory: no lead lines found so far, most lines still listed as unknown, the notices sent to customers, and how to check yours.
- Dallas water service lines and the service line inventoryDallas Water Utilities' service line inventory: how materials were identified, letters to 225,000 unknown lines, and the GIS lookup.
- Water service lines in Los Angeles: no lead foundLADWP's service line inventory found no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement lines, including customer-owned ones. What that means for LA water line repairs.
Sources (2)
- SAWS, Service line inventory · checked 2026-10-03
- SAWS Newsroom, SAWS begins outreach for lead service line inventory · checked 2026-10-03