Setting Up Utilities in New York City, NY
Your complete guide to setting up water, electricity, internet, and gas service in New York City, New York.
New York City Utility Guide
reviewed by
ENRI ZHULATI
Setting up utilities in New York City requires coordinating with multiple providers across water, electricity, gas, and internet services. This guide walks you through the process for each utility type, including contact information for Con Edison, the Department of Environmental Protection, and major internet providers serving the five boroughs. Whether you’re moving into a new apartment or establishing service at a house, you’ll find the steps and documentation needed to get connected.
Water service in New York City
Water service throughout all five boroughs of New York City is provided exclusively by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP). For most renters, water is included in rent and billed directly to property owners, meaning no account setup is necessary. Property owners must register with NYC DEP to establish service. Contact NYC DEP at 718-595-7000 or visit nyc.gov/site/dep/index.page for assistance.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)
Phone: 718-595-7000
Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/index.page
Office: Central Office: 59-17 Junction Blvd, Flushing, NY 11373
Hours: Call Center: Monday 8:00am-7:00pm; Tuesday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm. Borough offices available for walk-in service in Manhattan (55 West 125th Street, 9th Floor), Bronx (1932 Arthur Ave, 6th Floor), Brooklyn (345 Adams St, 9th Floor), Queens (59-17 Junction Blvd, 9th Floor), and Staten Island (60 Bay Street, 6th Floor).
Deposit: No deposit is required for residential water service. NYC DEP bills property owners directly based on metered water usage. Charges for water and wastewater services are considered a lien against the property until paid in full.
Sewage Service
Sewer and wastewater services are bundled with water and billed together by NYC DEP on a single combined bill. Charges are based on water consumption, with the current rate set at $13.07 per 100 cubic feet of water used. No separate account setup is required for sewage service.
Garbage & Recycling
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) provides free curbside collection for all residents. Garbage is collected 2-3 times weekly, with recycling and composting collected once per week. NYC uses dual-stream recycling (paper/cardboard separate from metal/glass/plastic), and participation is mandatory—fines up to $300 apply for non-compliance. Visit nyc.gov/dsny or call 311 to find your specific collection schedule.
No, renters typically do not need to set up water accounts. Water service is usually included in rent and billed directly to property owners by NYC DEP. Check with your landlord to confirm water is included in your lease agreement.
Property owners must complete the Customer Registration Form, available online at nyc.gov/dep or by calling 311. Submit forms by mail to the DEP BCS Registration Unit in Flushing, or visit any borough office in person with proof of property ownership.
No deposit is required for residential water service. However, water and wastewater charges are considered a lien against the property until paid in full. Property owners are responsible for all water bills regardless of tenant occupancy.
Electricity in New York City
New York City is not in a deregulated electricity market, meaning residents receive service from a single utility provider rather than choosing between competing suppliers. Con Edison (Consolidated Edison) is the sole electricity provider for NYC, serving approximately 3.6 million customers across the city and Westchester County. To establish service, residents can visit coned.com or call 1-800-752-6633 to start, move, or transfer their electric account.
Con Edison (Consolidated Edison)
Phone: 1-800-752-6633
Website: https://www.coned.com/en/services-and-outages/service-management-page
Deposit: New residential customers who do not provide valid identification are required to pay a deposit. All new non-residential customers are required to pay a deposit. Deposit amount is based on estimated charges for two monthly bills. Deposits earn interest at a rate set by the Public Service Commission and may be refunded after 12 consecutive months (residential) or 36 months (non-residential) without late payments.
Setup: Visit the Con Edison website or call 1-800-752-6633. You can start, move, or transfer service online. You will need to provide personal information including name, service address, Social Security number, and government-issued ID. Choose your desired service start date. Online signup is available.
Internet providers in New York City
New York City residents have access to several internet service options across fiber, satellite, and fixed wireless connection types. While the city’s dense urban environment supports high-speed fiber infrastructure in many neighborhoods, satellite and fixed wireless alternatives provide connectivity options for areas with limited wired infrastructure. Availability and speeds vary significantly by borough and building.
AT&T
National telecommunications provider offering fiber internet services in select New York City neighborhoods.
Vexus Fiber
Regional fiber optic provider delivering high-speed internet to residential and business customers.
Viasat
Satellite internet provider offering coverage throughout New York City regardless of ground infrastructure.
HughesNet
Satellite-based internet service available to NYC residents seeking an alternative to wired connections.
T-Mobile
Wireless carrier providing fixed wireless home internet using its 5G and LTE network infrastructure.
Internet FAQ
New York City offers fiber, satellite, and fixed wireless internet connections. Fiber provides the fastest speeds and is available in many areas. Satellite covers locations without wired access, while fixed wireless uses cellular networks for home internet service.
Internet availability in New York City varies by specific address and building. Contact providers directly or check their websites using your street address to confirm service availability, as coverage can differ significantly even between neighboring buildings.
Basic browsing and streaming typically requires 25-50 Mbps. Households with multiple users, remote workers, or gamers should consider 100-300 Mbps. Fiber connections offer the highest speeds for demanding usage like 4K streaming and large file transfers.
Natural gas service in New York City
Natural gas service in New York City is provided by two utilities depending on your borough. Con Edison serves Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens, while National Grid covers Brooklyn, Staten Island, and remaining Queens areas. Gas is commonly used for heating and cooking throughout the city, though many buildings rely on oil heat or are all-electric. New York’s deregulated energy market allows residents to choose alternative gas suppliers while their utility handles delivery.
Con Edison
Phone: 1-800-752-6633
Website: https://www.coned.com
Deposit: Residential customers who provide valid identification are generally not required to pay a deposit. If you do not have valid ID, a deposit is required. The deposit amount is based on estimated charges for two monthly bills (for heating customers, two months during heating season). Deposits accrue interest at a PSC-set rate and are refunded after 12 consecutive months of on-time payments.
Setup: Sign up online at coned.com or call 1-800-752-6633. You can also call 1-877-779-6943 for service management. You'll need to provide your name, service address, Social Security number, and valid ID. Create an online account to start, move, or stop service. Your move-in date must be no more than 30 days from today. If service is currently in your landlord's name, Con Edison will transfer ownership automatically.
Sign up online at coned.com or call 1-800-752-6633. You'll need your name, service address, Social Security number, and valid ID. Schedule your move-in date up to 30 days in advance. If service is in your landlord's name, Con Edison transfers ownership automatically.
Residential customers with valid identification generally do not pay a deposit. Without valid ID, a deposit based on two estimated monthly bills is required. Deposits earn interest at PSC-set rates and are refunded after 12 consecutive months of on-time payments.
Leave the area immediately and call 911. Do not use electrical switches, phones, or anything that could create a spark while inside. Once safely outside, you can also contact Con Edison's emergency line at 1-800-752-6633 to report the leak.
Common questions about utilities in New York City
When moving to New York City, you'll typically need to arrange electricity (Con Edison for most boroughs), natural gas (also Con Edison or National Grid depending on location), internet and cable service, and potentially water. In most NYC apartments, water is included in rent, but verify with your landlord before assuming.
Electricity and gas through Con Edison can often be activated within 1-3 business days if no physical work is required. Internet installation typically takes 3-7 days depending on provider availability. Plan to start utility setup at least two weeks before your move-in date to ensure everything is connected when you arrive.
Most NYC utility providers require government-issued ID, your new service address, and a Social Security number or ITIN. You may also need your lease agreement or proof of residency. Con Edison and internet providers may run credit checks and could require security deposits for customers with limited credit history.
Con Edison offers full online enrollment for electricity and gas service. Major internet providers like Verizon, Spectrum, and Optimum also support online signup. However, NYC water accounts managed by DEP typically require in-person visits or mail-in applications, though most renters don't need individual water accounts.