Setting Up Utilities in El Paso, TX
Your complete guide to setting up water, electricity, internet, and gas service in El Paso, Texas.
El Paso Utility Guide
reviewed by
ENRI ZHULATI
Setting up utilities in El Paso requires coordinating with several different providers for your essential services. This guide walks you through the process of establishing water, sewage, garbage, electricity, gas, and internet service at your new home. You’ll find contact information, documentation requirements, and step-by-step instructions for each utility type to help you get everything connected efficiently.
Water service in El Paso
El Paso Water is the primary water utility serving El Paso residents, providing water, wastewater, and stormwater services to the majority of the city. New customers can set up service online, by email at [email protected], or by calling 915-594-5500. The main office is located at 6400 Boeing Drive, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time. Visit epwater.org for more information.
El Paso Water
Phone: 915-594-5500
Website: https://www.epwater.org
Office: 6400 Boeing Drive, El Paso, TX 79925
Hours: Customer Service by phone: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mountain Time). In-person office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. 24-hour emergency line available.
Deposit: $75 deposit required for all standard residential customers. There is no charge to set up service itself. If the credit record is unfavorable, a higher deposit may be required based on the two highest monthly bills on record. The deposit is applied against the final bill at termination of service.
Sewage Service
Wastewater and sewer service is provided by El Paso Water and included on your water bill. Sewer charges are calculated based on 90% of your average winter water consumption. No separate setup is required—sewer service begins automatically when you establish water service at your address.
Garbage & Recycling
Garbage and recycling collection is handled by the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department, with fees billed through your El Paso Water account. Trash is collected weekly in gray bins, while recycling is collected every other week in blue bins. Materials must be curbside by 7:00 AM on your assigned collection day. Use the City’s online Collection Day Lookup tool or call (915) 212-6000 to find your schedule. Five Citizen Collection Stations are available for bulky items and household hazardous waste.
You'll need your service address, personal identification information, and your Social Security Number (the last 4 digits serve as your PIN). The account must be established in the name of the person responsible for payment. A $75 deposit is required for standard residential customers.
New water service in El Paso generally takes two business days to establish. You can request service online through the Start Service Form at epwater.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 915-594-5500 during business hours.
Your deposit is applied as a credit against your final bill when you terminate service. If your deposit exceeds your final charges, El Paso Water will refund the remaining balance. Customers with unfavorable credit may have a higher deposit based on historical billing.
Electricity in El Paso
Unlike most of Texas, El Paso is not part of the state’s deregulated electricity market. Residents receive electricity from El Paso Electric, the sole utility provider serving the region. This means you cannot choose between competing electricity providers or plans. To establish service, new customers can visit the EPE Move Center online portal at epelectric.com or call (915) 543-5970. First-time customers may need to provide a deposit based on credit history.
El Paso Electric
Phone: (915) 543-5970
Website: https://www.epelectric.com/customer-service/start-stop-service
Deposit: Deposit amount equals one-sixth (two months) of the estimated annual billing based on the service location's previous usage history. Deposit must be paid before service is activated. Deposit may be waived with satisfactory credit reference from previous utility or good credit rating. Deposits earn interest and are refunded after 12 months of good payment history (no more than 2 late payments, no disconnection for nonpayment).
Setup: New customers can start service online through the EPE Move Center self-service portal or by calling customer service. First-time customers should call (915) 543-5970 or toll-free 1-800-351-1621. Website submissions are processed within two business days. You will need to provide your social security number, contact information, and address. A deposit may be required based on credit history.
Internet providers in El Paso
El Paso residents have access to a diverse range of internet service providers, with eight options currently serving the area. Connection types include fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and satellite, giving households flexibility based on their location and needs. Urban areas typically enjoy faster wired connections, while satellite and fixed wireless options extend coverage to more remote parts of the region.
AT&T
Major telecommunications provider offering both fiber and DSL internet services across El Paso with various speed tiers.
Spectrum
Cable internet provider delivering widespread coverage throughout El Paso with no data caps on standard plans.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Fixed wireless internet service using T-Mobile's cellular network infrastructure for home connectivity.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Fixed wireless service leveraging Verizon's 5G network in select El Paso neighborhoods.
Quantum Fiber
Fiber-optic internet service offering symmetrical upload and download speeds in available service areas.
Viasat
Satellite internet provider offering coverage throughout El Paso, including rural and underserved areas.
HughesNet
Satellite-based internet service available across El Paso regardless of ground infrastructure limitations.
Starlink
SpaceX's low-earth orbit satellite internet service providing coverage to El Paso residents.
Internet FAQ
Fiber internet offers the fastest speeds in El Paso, with some providers delivering up to 8 Gbps. Fiber provides symmetrical upload and download speeds and is available in many urban and suburban neighborhoods throughout the city.
Yes, satellite providers like Starlink, Viasat, and HughesNet offer coverage in rural areas where cable and fiber infrastructure may not reach. Fixed wireless options from T-Mobile and Verizon may also be available depending on cellular coverage.
For remote work involving video conferencing and cloud applications, speeds of 25-50 Mbps per user are generally recommended. Households with multiple people working or streaming simultaneously should consider plans offering 100 Mbps or higher.
Natural gas service in El Paso
Texas Gas Service is the primary natural gas provider for El Paso residents. Natural gas is commonly used in local homes for heating, water heating, and cooking, though it’s not required—some homes operate entirely on electricity. You can reach Texas Gas Service at 1-800-700-2443 or visit texasgasservice.com to manage your account. For gas leaks or emergencies, leave the area immediately and call 911 and 800-959-5325.
Texas Gas Service
Phone: 1-800-700-2443
Website: https://www.texasgasservice.com
Deposit: Minimum residential deposit is currently $75 (proposed increase to $125 pending). Deposit may be waived with 12 consecutive months of good payment history with another utility, or may be refunded after 12 months of on-time payments. Customers who enroll in autopay and maintain good payment history may have deposits waived.
Setup: You can start, stop, or transfer service online through the Texas Gas Service portal at texasgasservice.com, via their mobile app, or by calling 800-700-2443. The website and app allow you to manage service requests 24/7.
You can start, stop, or transfer Texas Gas Service online at texasgasservice.com, through their mobile app, or by calling 1-800-700-2443. The website and app are available 24/7 for managing service requests.
The minimum residential deposit is currently $75. This deposit may be waived if you have 12 consecutive months of good payment history with another utility or if you enroll in autopay. Deposits can be refunded after 12 months of on-time payments.
Leave the area immediately and call 911, then contact Texas Gas Service's emergency line at 800-959-5325. Do not use electrical switches, phones, or anything that could create a spark while still inside the building.
Common questions about utilities in El Paso
When moving to El Paso, you'll need to establish electricity service (through a retail provider in the deregulated market), water and wastewater service through El Paso Water, natural gas through Texas Gas Service, and optionally internet and trash collection. Some apartments include certain utilities, so verify with your landlord first.
Electricity can typically be connected within 24-48 hours with most retail providers. El Paso Water usually requires 2-3 business days for new service activation. Texas Gas Service generally processes connections within 3-5 business days. Plan to initiate all utility setups at least one week before your move-in date.
Most El Paso utilities require government-issued photo ID, Social Security number, current mailing address, and service address. El Paso Water may request a lease agreement or property deed. Some providers require a deposit or credit check, though deposits can sometimes be waived with a letter of credit from a previous utility.
Electricity providers in El Paso offer full online enrollment. Texas Gas Service allows online service requests. However, El Paso Water typically requires new residential customers to visit a customer service center in person with identification and proof of residency. Internet providers generally support complete online or phone-based activation as of February 2026.