About Kinetico of San Antonio · San Antonio
Kinetico of San Antonio is a family-owned Authorized Independent Kinetico Dealer that has been delivering water treatment systems to homes and businesses across Bexar County and the Texas Hill Country since 1970 — more than 50 years. Owned and operated by Chris and Shay Knippa of Boerne, TX, the company specializes in solving the region's notoriously hard Edwards Aquifer water through non-electric, twin-tank Kinetico water softeners, reverse osmosis drinking water systems, whole-house filtration and commercial water treatment. The business is headquartered at 15678 Tradesman Dr, San Antonio, TX 78249 and is rated 4.9 out of 5 across hundreds of customer reviews.
Kinetico of San Antonio is the locally owned Authorized Independent Kinetico Dealer for the San Antonio and Hill Country region. The company traces its roots to 1970, when Kinetico's two founders — Bill Prior and Jim Kewley — were asked to design a better water softener valve in northeast Ohio. What began as a two-man creative undertaking grew into a global water treatment brand; the San Antonio dealership joined that network in the 1970s and has since installed tens of thousands of systems for local families, restaurants, hotels and industrial facilities. Today the dealership is run by Chris and Shay Knippa, who operate out of a facility on Tradesman Drive in northwest San Antonio. San Antonio's water comes primarily from the mineral-rich Edwards Aquifer, often measuring well above 15 grains of hardness per gallon — among the hardest municipal water in the country — which makes the company's expertise especially relevant. The Knippa family is committed to community giving: they donate high-quality Kinetico systems to local non-profit organizations, provide free water testing and water-conservation education across the Hill Country, and work closely with Uganda Tree of Life Ministries, a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) organization; Chris Knippa serves as president of UTOLM and personally travels to Uganda to dig water wells in villages without access to clean drinking water. The business offers both purchase and rental programs starting at $57 per month, financing through GoodLeap, and a full roster of residential, commercial and industrial water treatment services.
- In business
- Since 1970 (over 50 years)
- Owner
- Owned and operated by Chris and Shay Knippa of Boerne, TX (Authorized Independent Kinetico Dealer since 1970; Kinetico brand founded by Bill Prior and Jim Kewley)
- Serves
- San Antonio, Bexar County and the Texas Hill Country, including Boerne and surrounding communities; ships K5 replacement filters nationwide (e.g., Houston customers)
- Rating
- 4.9 out of 5 (4943 customers served; 693 reviews on Porch.com); BBB average 2.6 across 5 reviews (A+ accredited)
About Kinetico of San Antonio
Kinetico of San Antonio is an Authorized Independent Kinetico Dealer that has served Bexar County and the Hill Country for more than 50 years. The company is owned and operated by Chris and Shay Knippa of Boerne, TX, who continue a family tradition of pairing industry-leading Kinetico engineering with a personal, community-driven touch. Their mission is simple: deliver the highest-quality water treatment systems built to handle the region's hard, mineral-rich water from the Edwards Aquifer. The company's roots trace back to 1970, when Kinetico founders Bill Prior and Jim Kewley were asked to design a better water softener valve in northeast Ohio. The San Antonio dealership joined the Kinetico network early on, eventually coming under the Knippa family's stewardship. In 2006, Kinetico was acquired by Axel Johnson Inc., the North American arm of Sweden's Axel Johnson Group, expanding the brand's global reach without sacrificing the dealer-based North American model.
- Family-owned and operated by Chris and Shay Knippa
- Authorized Independent Kinetico Dealer since 1970
- Headquarters: 15678 Tradesman Dr, San Antonio, TX 78249
- Phone: (210) 656-7873
- Email: [email protected]
- Websites: kineticosa.com and kinetico.com/en/dealers/kineticosanantonio
Why San Antonio Homes Need a Water Softener
San Antonio's water comes primarily from the Edwards Aquifer — a valuable but mineral-rich source that contributes to some of the hardest water in the United States, frequently measuring well above 15 grains of hardness per gallon. These minerals leave behind white spots on glassware, stiff laundry, itchy skin, dull hair, soap scum in showers and scale buildup on faucets, pipes, dishwashers and water heaters. Left untreated, the buildup forces appliances to work harder, drives up utility costs and shortens equipment life. Kinetico of San Antonio's non-electric water softeners use the kinetic energy of moving water — not electricity — to operate, regenerating only when needed so homeowners never waste power or water. Their signature twin-tank design means one tank cleans itself while the other continues supplying soft water, so soft water is available 24/7.
- Edwards Aquifer water regularly exceeds 15 grains of hardness per gallon
- Kinetico systems are non-electric and meter-initiated
- Twin-tank design = uninterrupted soft water
- Systems engineered for Hill Country water specifically
Residential Water Softener Installation
During a typical installation, Kinetico's trained technicians handle every step — from setup and connection to testing and calibration. The process is straightforward, professional and usually completed in a single visit. A free in-home water test comes first: a Kinetico technician measures hardness levels, checks for other concerns and recommends a system tailored to household size, water usage and plumbing layout. Benefits include reduced scale on faucets and showerheads, longer-lasting dishwashers and washing machines, more efficient water heaters, less soap and detergent, and noticeably softer skin and hair.
- Free in-home water testing and consultation
- Professional single-visit installation
- Custom sizing for household needs
- Reduced scale, longer appliance life, softer skin and hair
Water Softener Rental Program
For homeowners who don't want to buy outright, Kinetico of San Antonio offers a rental program that starts at just $57 per month (exact price depends on home size and water needs). Each rental includes full installation by a certified technician, plus ongoing maintenance support. The program is ideal for newcomers to the area, renters, or anyone wanting to test soft water before committing. For buyers, financing is available through GoodLeap with a soft credit check and flexible payment plans.
- Rentals from $57/month
- Full installation and maintenance included
- GoodLeap financing options for purchases
- Easy transition from rental to ownership
Commercial Water Treatment Solutions
Kinetico of San Antonio equips restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities and industrial operations with commercial-grade water softeners, filtration systems and reverse osmosis (RO) units. Every project begins with a detailed water analysis and consultation to measure hardness, evaluate flow rates and pinpoint treatment priorities. Systems are modular, non-electric, and built with durable materials for high-usage and long service life. The KineticoPRO ROAX N-Series delivers 2,750–16,500 gallons per day at up to 98% contaminant removal, making it ideal for 24/7 operations with high-volume drawdowns.
- Hardness removal and scale prevention
- KineticoPRO ROAX N-Series commercial RO (2,750–16,500 GPD, up to 98% contaminant removal)
- Modular sizing for any facility
- Industries served: restaurants, hotels, healthcare, manufacturing
- Service and maintenance support after installation
Reverse Osmosis and Drinking Water Systems
The flagship Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station is the highest-contaminant-removal point-of-use RO system on the market, certified by the state of North Carolina for full PFAS removal. It produces up to 1.7 gallons per hour, includes quick-disconnect filters with a change indicator, and can be connected to as many as six locations — faucets, refrigerators, ice machines, coffee makers and soda machines. Flex filters allow customization, including ultrapure water for 99.99999% bacteria removal or adding calcium and magnesium back for coffee service.
- K5 Drinking Water Station with the highest contaminant removal rate in its class
- Certified for full PFAS removal
- 1.7 gallons per hour production
- Quick-disconnect filters with change indicator
- Up to 6 connection points
Whole-House Filtration and Specialty Filters
In addition to softeners, the dealership installs filtration systems that target Hill Country-specific contaminants, including sulfur, arsenic, iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide and pH imbalances. Saltless systems are offered for homeowners who want softened-feeling water without adding sodium.
- Sulfur filters
- Arsenic removal
- Iron and manganese filtration
- Hydrogen sulfide treatment
- pH adjustment
- Saltless / no-sodium options
Water Heater Solutions
To round out a complete home water system, Kinetico of San Antonio installs both traditional and tankless water heaters. Pairing a softener with the right heater extends equipment life, prevents mineral coating on heating elements and improves overall efficiency.
- Traditional water heaters
- Tankless water heaters
- Paired with softeners for maximum efficiency
Free Water Testing and Quotes
Every Kinetico project — residential or commercial — begins with a complimentary in-home water test. A Kinetico water technician measures hardness, checks your site for plumbing considerations and recommends the right combination of products for your needs. There is no charge for the test or the quote.
- No-cost in-home water test
- Site plumbing review
- Personalized product recommendations
- Available for residential and commercial customers
Community Commitment and Uganda Missions
The Knippa family believes business and community go hand in hand. Kinetico of San Antonio donates high-quality water treatment systems to local non-profit organizations, offers free water tests and education to raise awareness about water conservation and quality across the Hill Country, and supports faith-based outreach in a meaningful way. The dealership works closely with Uganda Tree of Life Ministries (UTOLM), a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the physical and spiritual well-being of Ugandans through Water and Health Ministries. Owner Chris Knippa has served on UTOLM's board since 2012 and as its president since 2016, and travels regularly to Uganda to drill water wells in villages without access to clean drinking water. Each well costs about $9,000 and serves roughly 2,000 people for generations, and is paired with Bible distribution and screenings of The Jesus Film Project at a community dedication gathering.
- Donations of water systems to local non-profits
- Free water tests and water-conservation education
- Partnership with Uganda Tree of Life Ministries (UTOLM)
- Chris Knippa is UTOLM president and well-drilling volunteer
- Wells cost ~$9,000 and serve ~2,000 people per village
- Water paired with Bible distribution and The Jesus Film Project in Uganda
Recognition and Credentials
Kinetico of San Antonio maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and earned a 2012 Angie's List Super Service Award. The Kinetico brand is certified by the Water Quality Association as having the world's most efficient water softener and is the only twin-tank non-electric system on the market. The dealership consistently maintains a 4.9 out of 5 customer rating across hundreds of reviews and is widely regarded as the go-to expert on San Antonio's notoriously hard water.
- BBB Accredited, A+ rated
- Angie's List 2012 Super Service Award
- WQA-certified most efficient water softener
- 4.9/5 average across hundreds of customer reviews