SAN ANTONIO – It's a place customers say they've relied on for years to pay their water bill. But come November, the San Antonio Water System South Side customer center will shut its doors permanently.
"Why?" SAWS customer Olga Montoya asked.
The last day of operations for the center at 2706 West Southcross Boulevard is expected to be Nov. 4. The location was formerly BexarMet's before SAWS acquired it.
Once the South Side location closes, the next closest location is in the Las Palmas Shopping center at 803 Castroville Road, Suite 406.
"I guess I'll have to go to Las Palmas," SAWS customer Palomo Edwardo said.
The water utility company announced the closure on its website, in bill mailers and even on the social networking site Nextdoor. Customers have been given a list of nearby locations to pay their bills, including some supermarkets that may charge small convenience fees.
Customers can always pay their water bill online or by phone, as well.
Anne Hayden, a spokeswoman for SAWS, says the South Side Customer Center is the most expensive one for the company to operate.
"In recent times, we have reduced the number of staff there, because it quite honestly hasn't had a lot of traffic," Hayden said.
However, some people can't help but think about those customers who don't have mobility or technology options to pay their bills.
The office is already limited to drive-through only transactions from Wednesday to Friday.
To see a full list of locations in-person payments can be made, click here.