Setting Up Utilities in Austin, TX
Your complete guide to setting up water, electricity, internet, and gas service in Austin, Texas.
Austin Utility Guide
reviewed by
ENRI ZHULATI
Setting up utilities in Austin requires coordinating with several different providers, which can feel overwhelming when you’re managing a move. This guide walks you through the process for each essential service—water, electricity, gas, and internet—including which providers serve your area, what documentation you’ll need, and typical setup timelines. Whether you’re new to the city or relocating within Austin, you’ll find the practical information needed to get your services connected efficiently.
Water service in Austin
Austin Water is the municipal utility providing water and wastewater services to City of Austin residents. You can start, stop, or transfer service by phone at 512-494-9400, online at coautilities.com, or at walk-in centers located at 8716 Research Blvd., Suite 115 (North) or 2800 Webberville Road, Suite 110 (Rosewood-Zaragosa). Phone support is available Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Walk-in centers are open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Austin Water
Phone: 512-494-9400
Website: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-water
Office: 625 E. 10th St., Austin, TX (Administrative); Walk-in centers: 8716 Research Blvd., Suite 115 (North); 2800 Webberville Road, Suite 110 (Rosewood-Zaragosa)
Hours: Phone customer service: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST. Walk-in centers: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Deposit: $200 deposit required for new residential service. Deposit can be waived if: you have satisfactory payment history with a previous City of Austin Utility account; you provide a letter of reference from another utility company; you enroll in both Autopay and eBill; you are 65+ years old; you are a service member returned from deployment; or you are a victim of domestic abuse. Deposits are refunded with interest after 12 consecutive billing cycles with no late payments.
Sewage Service
Wastewater service is provided by Austin Water and bundled with your water service. Both appear on your combined City of Austin Utilities bill. Wastewater charges are calculated based on winter water usage averaging. Austin Water maintains all wastewater infrastructure after service connections are installed.
Garbage & Recycling
Austin Resource Recovery provides curbside collection for single-family homes and multifamily properties with four or fewer units. Trash and composting are collected weekly, while recycling is collected every other week in blue carts. Brush, bulk items, and household hazardous waste pickup can be scheduled up to three times per year. Carts must be curbside by 5:30 a.m. on collection day. Use the Austin Recycles app or visit austintexas.gov to find your schedule. For missed collections, contact Austin 3-1-1 within two business days.
New residential service requires a $200 deposit. This deposit can be waived if you have satisfactory City of Austin Utility payment history, provide a utility reference letter, enroll in Autopay and eBill, are 65 or older, are a returning service member, or are a domestic abuse victim.
You'll need valid identification and your service address. If requesting a deposit waiver, bring supporting documentation such as a utility reference letter, landlord reference, proof of age 65+, or military deployment orders. Service setup typically takes 24-48 hours to process.
Austin Water refunds deposits with interest after 12 consecutive billing cycles with no late payments. Some areas outside Austin city limits may be served by Municipal Utility Districts or other providers like West Travis County Public Utility Agency rather than Austin Water.
Electricity in Austin
Unlike much of Texas, Austin is not part of the state’s deregulated electricity market. Residents receive electricity exclusively from Austin Energy, a publicly owned utility operated by the City of Austin. As the sole provider for the area, Austin Energy serves over 420,000 customers throughout Austin, Travis County, and portions of Williamson County. New residents can set up service online through the City of Austin Utilities portal or by calling 512-494-9400.
Austin Energy
Phone: 512-494-9400
Website: https://coautilities.com/wps/wcm/connect/occ/coa/util/support/utility-service/start-stop-transfer
Deposit: $200 deposit required for residential service. Deposit may be waived with satisfactory payment history from a previous City of Austin account, letter of reference from another utility, enrollment in Autopay and eBill, age 65+, or returning military service members. Deposit is refundable with interest after 12 consecutive on-time payments.
Setup: Set up service online through the City of Austin Utilities Online Customer Care portal or call Customer Care at 512-494-9400. You can also visit a walk-in utility customer service center. Request new service in advance, especially during peak moving season.
Internet providers in Austin
Austin residents have access to a competitive internet market with eight providers offering various connection types. Options include fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and satellite services, giving households flexibility based on their location and speed requirements. The presence of multiple fiber providers makes Austin one of the better-connected cities in Texas for high-speed internet access.
AT&T
Major telecommunications provider offering fiber and DSL internet services across much of the Austin metro area.
Google Fiber
Fiber-optic provider known for bringing gigabit speeds to Austin as one of its early expansion cities.
Spectrum
Cable internet provider delivering widespread coverage throughout Austin with no data caps.
Vexus Fiber
Regional fiber provider expanding its network in Texas communities including parts of the Austin area.
Astound Broadband
Cable and fiber provider offering internet services in select Austin neighborhoods.
T-Mobile
Wireless carrier providing 5G home internet as a fixed wireless alternative to traditional wired connections.
Viasat
Satellite internet provider offering coverage to rural areas where wired connections are unavailable.
HughesNet
Satellite internet service available throughout the Austin region, primarily serving rural locations.
Internet FAQ
Fiber-optic internet offers the fastest speeds in Austin, with some providers delivering up to 5 Gbps. Fiber provides symmetrical upload and download speeds, making it ideal for remote work, streaming, and households with multiple connected devices.
Yes, satellite providers like Viasat and HughesNet cover rural areas where cable and fiber are unavailable. Fixed wireless options from T-Mobile may also be available depending on your location and proximity to cellular towers.
Internet availability varies by neighborhood and street address in Austin. You can check each provider's website directly or contact them to verify service availability, connection types, and speeds offered at your specific location.
Natural gas service in Austin
Texas Gas Service provides natural gas to homes and businesses in central Austin and Travis County. Natural gas is commonly available for heating and cooking, though many Austin homes are all-electric, making gas service optional rather than required. Surrounding communities like Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Georgetown are served by Atmos Energy, while areas south including Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos receive service from CenterPoint Energy. Contact Texas Gas Service at 1-800-700-2443 or visit texasgasservice.com.
Texas Gas Service
Phone: 1-800-700-2443
Website: https://www.texasgasservice.com
Deposit: Deposit amount is calculated as up to one-sixth (1/6) of estimated annual billing. Deposit may be waived with proof of good payment history (12 consecutive months with no late payments from a previous utility). Deposit is refunded after 12 consecutive on-time payments with no service disconnections.
Setup: New service can be set up online at texasgasservice.com, through the Texas Gas Service mobile app (iOS/Android), or by calling 1-800-700-2443. You can start, stop, or transfer service through your online account. An adult (18+) must be present when a technician arrives to turn on gas and perform safety checks on appliances.
New Texas Gas Service accounts can be established online at texasgasservice.com, through their mobile app, or by calling 1-800-700-2443. An adult 18 or older must be home when the technician arrives to turn on gas and complete required safety checks on appliances.
Texas Gas Service may require a deposit up to one-sixth of your estimated annual billing. This deposit can be waived with proof of 12 consecutive months of on-time payments from a previous utility. After 12 months of on-time payments, deposits are refunded.
Leave the area immediately and move to a safe location. Call 911 and the Texas Gas Service emergency line at 800-959-5325. Do not use electrical switches, phones, or anything that could create a spark while inside the affected area.
Common questions about utilities in Austin
When moving to Austin, you'll need to establish electricity service (Texas has a deregulated market, so you choose your provider), water and wastewater through Austin Water, natural gas through Texas Gas Service if your home uses it, internet service, and optionally trash collection depending on your neighborhood or HOA arrangements.
Electricity can typically be connected within 24-48 hours, sometimes same-day. Austin Water usually requires 2-3 business days notice for new service activation. Natural gas through Texas Gas Service generally needs 3-5 business days. Internet installation appointments may take 1-2 weeks depending on provider availability and infrastructure.
Most Austin utilities require government-issued ID, your new service address, and a move-in date. You'll also need your Social Security number for credit checks. Lease agreements or closing documents may be requested. Austin Water specifically requires proof of property ownership or a signed lease agreement for account setup.
Electricity providers in Texas offer full online enrollment. Texas Gas Service allows online applications. Internet providers typically support online ordering. However, Austin Water requires creating an account through their portal but may require phone verification or an in-person visit to their customer service center for certain residential account types as of February 2026.