Utilities setup and providers in South Carolina: Major electricity providers: Duke Energy, SCE&G, Santee Cooper. Natural gas primarily supplied by Dominion Energy. Water services vary by municipality or local utility. Sewer services managed by municipal or county utilities. Reliable internet providers: Spectrum, AT&T, Frontier. Prepaid and postpaid electricity plans available. Initial setup fees common for new connections. Recycling and waste collection services locally managed. Online portals available for utility account management. Budget billing programs for level monthly payments.
Major electricity providers: Duke Energy, SCE&G, Santee Cooper.
In South Carolina, the major electricity providers include Duke Energy, which encompasses Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas, serving a significant portion of the state's energy demand. Additionally, Dominion Energy South Carolina plays a crucial role, serving a substantial percentage of the state. Notably, Santee Cooper, the state-owned utility, not only directly serves a portion of the state’s energy needs but also indirectly supplies a majority of energy to cooperative utilities throughout the region.
Natural gas primarily supplied by Dominion Energy.
Dominion Energy is the primary provider of natural gas in South Carolina, serving 400,000 customers across 35 counties. The company, with roots dating back to 1846 when Charleston Gas Light Company first provided natural gas, continues to expand its services due to growing demand for natural gas as a reliable, affordable, and energy-efficient source for residential and commercial use.
Water services vary by municipality or local utility.
Water services in South Carolina vary significantly by municipality or local utility, with providers such as Nexus Water Group's South Carolina Water Utilities and Blue Granite Water Company serving multiple communities. Other areas are served by local entities like Dorchester County Water & Sewer, Greer Commission of Public Works, and York County Water and Sewer Department. For more information, you can explore how these services are distributed and managed across the state by visiting the Nexus Water Group website, which provides detailed insights into their service areas.
Sewer services managed by municipal or county utilities.
Sewer services in York County are overseen by the York County Water and Sewer Department, which utilizes a robust collection system in collaboration with the City of Rock Hill's Manchester Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility. Meanwhile, the City of Walhalla takes charge of its sewer services, with active maintenance and upgrades to rectify problematic areas and replace outdated water mains, efficiently managed alongside the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority. Over in West Columbia, the Sewer Utility operates as a comprehensive wastewater collection system, with the city's infrastructure facilitating treatment at the Metro Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant. For more detailed information, including current projects and services, visit the West Columbia Sewer Utility page.
Reliable internet providers: Spectrum, AT&T, Frontier.
Spectrum is CNET's top pick for South Carolina due to its extensive coverage, fast speeds, and favorable service terms. While AT&T Fiber offers faster speeds and better value where available, Frontier, though less widespread, provides high-speed fiber internet with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps in select areas. For more information, you can visit CNET. These options make it easier for residents to find an internet provider that suits their needs.
Prepaid and postpaid electricity plans available.
In South Carolina, various utility providers offer both prepaid and postpaid electricity plans. For example, Dominion Energy provides options for setting up electric or natural gas service, which may include a deposit but also offers alternative options, while electric cooperatives like Laurens Electric Cooperative, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, and others provide different payment plans tailored to their members' needs. For more information on these services and to explore additional utility providers in the area, you can visit the SCIWAY website. This resource serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding and accessing utility services throughout the state.
Initial setup fees common for new connections.
For new utility connections in South Carolina, initial setup fees can include various charges such as basic facilities charges, setup fees for new service or increased capacity, and other administrative fees. For example, in Cayce, SC, new residents need to contact the utility department to set up service, which may involve fees outlined in the Master Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2024.
Recycling and waste collection services locally managed.
Carolina Waste, backed by a major nationwide waste management company, provides local recycling and waste collection services in South Carolina. They offer residential and commercial garbage pickup, yard waste collection, and single-stream recycling. These services are managed through contracts with local municipalities like the Town of Summerville.
Online portals available for utility account management.
Managing utility accounts has become significantly more convenient with online solutions offered by various service providers. For instance, Swwc allows users to seamlessly pay their bills with Visa or MasterCard, set up auto pay, view payment information, and access their payment history, enhancing the convenience of managing utilities from anywhere. Meanwhile, Clemson City Utilities provides a broad range of services, including creating an online account, enrolling in automatic bill pay, requesting e-billing, and handling other essential utility billing services for residents in the City of Clemson. Dominion Energy caters specifically to the needs of South Carolina residents by allowing them to start new electric or natural gas services and complete necessary application forms, although it might not offer the comprehensive online payment management found on some other platforms. Together, these websites simplify the process of managing and paying utility bills, ensuring users can handle their utilities efficiently.
Budget billing programs for level monthly payments.
The Budget Billing Program offered by Dominion Energy in South Carolina is designed to provide customers with a consistent and predictable monthly payment. By averaging the previous 12 bills along with projected energy costs, this program helps in managing household budgets more effectively. Adjustments to the payment amount are made annually or as required, should there be any rate changes or significant shifts in energy consumption. For more details, you can visit the official Dominion Energy website to understand how you can benefit from this conveniently structured billing option.