Compare Utility Providers in Columbia, SC

Top 2 Electric Providers in Columbia

Natural Gas Providers in Columbia

Top 11 Internet Providers in Columbia

*Not all internet providers and speeds available in all areas.

Water & Sewage Providers in Columbia

Top 19 Trash and Recycling Providers in Columbia

Utilities Summary for Columbia, SC

Electric Companies:	2
Natural Gas Companies:	1
Water & Sewage Providers:	1
Garbage, Trash & Recycling Providers:	19
Municipal Electricity:	Yes

The Essential Columbia Utility & Internet Guide

Columbia, South Carolina, affectionately known as “The Soda City,” is a vibrant southern hub filled with charm, history, and natural beauty. Nestled along the banks of the Congaree River, Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, a thriving arts scene, and a host of historic neighborhoods. Popular communities like Shandon, Forest Acres, and Rosewood offer a mix of classic southern architecture and modern convenience, while The Vista is the go-to spot for restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

Whether you’re moving for school, work, or a fresh start, Columbia offers a warm welcome with its blend of southern hospitality and city energy.

Electric Service

Electricity in Columbia is provided primarily by Dominion Energy South Carolina, a utility serving over 750,000 electric customers across the state. Dominion Energy offers reliable service and has invested heavily in grid modernization and renewable energy options. The company also offers a convenient mobile app (Dominion Energy) where customers can view bills, set up auto-pay, report outages, and monitor energy usage in real-time.

Dominion Energy provides several sustainability and energy-saving programs to help customers lower their bills and reduce environmental impact.

Energy-Saving Opportunities

• Home Energy Check-up: A free in-home assessment of energy efficiency with personalized suggestions.
• Smart Thermostat Rebates: Discounts and rebates on ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats to help reduce heating and cooling costs.
• EnergyWise Program: Participants receive bill credits for allowing Dominion to remotely adjust air conditioning use during high-demand periods.

Rebate Programs Include

• HVAC Rebates: Up to $500 for installing ENERGY STAR-qualified HVAC systems.
• Heat Pump Water Heater Rebates: Rebates of up to $400.
• LED Lighting Discounts: In-store discounts on select energy-efficient lighting products.

Natural Gas Service

Natural gas in Columbia is provided by Dominion Energy South Carolina as well. The same mobile app can be used to manage both electric and gas services, making things simple for customers. Dominion’s natural gas service is reliable and widely available throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Sustainability Programs

• Appliance Rebates: Savings available on high-efficiency gas water heaters, furnaces, and ranges.
• Home Energy Reports: Customers receive tailored suggestions based on actual gas usage to reduce consumption and costs.

Natural Gas Rebate Highlights

• Natural Gas Furnace: Rebates of up to $300 for high-efficiency models.
• Tankless Water Heater: Rebates up to $350 for ENERGY STAR models.
• Natural Gas Dryer: Up to $100 in savings for eligible units.

Dominion also offers budget billing and payment assistance programs to help manage seasonal spikes in gas usage.

Water Service

Water services in Columbia are managed by the City of Columbia Water Works Department, which also handles wastewater and sewer services. The city’s drinking water comes from two main sources: the Broad River and Lake Murray, both of which are treated at state-of-the-art facilities to ensure safe, clean drinking water.

Columbia has worked hard in recent years to upgrade its infrastructure, including lead line replacements and improved filtration systems. The city encourages water conservation through public education and seasonal use reminders, especially during dry months.

Conservation Opportunities

• Free Low-Flow Kits: Residents can request kits that include low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads.
• Irrigation Audits: Offered for large-volume users to identify leaks and overuse.

Trash and Recycling Services

Trash and recycling services in Columbia are managed by the City of Columbia Solid Waste Division. Residential garbage pickup occurs weekly, and recycling is collected every other week, depending on your zone. The city provides green rollout carts for trash and blue bins for recyclables.

The Columbia Compass mobile app lets residents view their pickup schedule, receive service alerts, and report missed pickups or bulky item collection needs. It’s a handy way to stay in the loop.

• Bulk Item Collection: Schedule ahead by calling 803-545-3800 or using the app.
• Yard Waste: Collected separately and must be in paper bags or bundled.
• Accepted Recyclables: Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs, aluminum and steel cans, and glass (in some areas, check current rules).

Sustainability Programs

• Compost Workshops: Offered seasonally to promote waste diversion.
• Recycling Education: The city runs school and community programs on recycling and waste reduction.

Best Internet Providers in Columbia

Columbia has access to fast, reliable internet with several strong providers serving the area. Whether you need lightning-fast fiber for working from home or a simple plan for browsing and streaming, there are good options at various price points.

AT&T Fiber
AT&T offers ultra-fast fiber internet in many parts of Columbia, about 74% of the city, with speeds up to 5 Gbps in some areas. Their plans come with no annual contracts, and the AT&T Smart Home Manager app makes it easy to manage devices, check usage, and customize your Wi-Fi network.

Spectrum
Spectrum provides wide coverage, almost 90% across Columbia with cable internet speeds up to 1 Gbps. All plans include a free modem, and there are no data caps. Their app, My Spectrum, offers account management, bill pay, and outage notifications.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile offers wireless home internet with competitive pricing and a simple self-setup process. It’s a great choice for households with good 5G signal coverage. The T-Mobile Internet app helps users set up the gateway, monitor speeds, and control connected devices.

Community Sustainability and Green Energy Programs

Beyond utility providers, Columbia and the state of South Carolina have several community-level initiatives that support sustainability and green living. The city is actively working on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmental stewardship.

• Columbia Green Business Program: Recognizes and supports local businesses that meet sustainability benchmarks in energy, water, and waste.
• Tree Canopy Programs: The city plants hundreds of trees annually to enhance urban shade and improve air quality.
• Green Infrastructure Grants: Offered through local organizations for projects like rain gardens, permeable paving, and urban agriculture.

The Sustainable Columbia Initiative outlines goals for energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and community resilience.

Financial Assistance for Utility Bills in Columbia

Columbia residents have access to a variety of assistance programs to help manage utility costs. These programs are available through local government, nonprofit organizations, and utility companies.

City & Community-Based Assistance

• City of Columbia Water Bill Assistance: Offers payment plans and temporary relief to eligible residents.
• Harvest Hope Utility Support: Provides emergency assistance for families facing disconnection.

Provider Assistance Programs

• Dominion Energy Share Program: Provides emergency assistance with electric or gas bills through community partners.
• Budget Billing & Payment Plans: Dominion Energy allows residents to average bills across the year to prevent seasonal spikes.

State Assistance Programs

• LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Helps qualifying households cover electricity and heating costs.

Columbia Internet Connectivity

Fastest Internet Providers in Columbia

Columbia Drinking Water Quality Information

Clean drinking water is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. Safe, contaminant-free water helps prevent the spread of diseases, supports proper hydration, and ensures the body's vital functions operate smoothly.