Utility Providers in Memphis, TX

Memphians are famously proud of their water, and for good reason. Our water is drawn from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, a natural underground reservoir that acts as a giant filter. It’s some of the purest artesian water in the world. Most locals drink straight from the tap, so save your money on those expensive filtration systems!

MLGW is the largest three-service (Light, Gas, and Water) municipal utility in the country. New accounts often require a $200 security deposit.

Pro tip: If you have 12 months of “on-time” history with your previous utility, call them and ask for a Letter of Credit. If you email that to MLGW before you move, they can often waive that deposit entirely.

Occasionally, if MLGW can’t access your meter (due to a locked gate or a dog), they will “estimate” your usage based on previous years. This can lead to a surprise bill later. Make sure your meters are accessible, or better yet, download the MLGW app and submit your own meter readings to ensure your bill is 100% accurate.

Memphis is a “City of Trees,” and many of our most beautiful neighborhoods (like Midtown and East Memphis) have massive, old-growth oaks. During summer thunderstorms or winter ice storms, branches often take down lines. Keep the MLGW Outage Map bookmarked on your phone; it’s the most accurate way to see when your power will be back.

No, Memphis is a regulated market through the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). You pay a flat rate regardless of the time of day. However, you can sign up for “SmartPay,” which averages your bills over the year so you don’t get hit with a massive cooling bill in August.

In Memphis, recycling is picked up every other week. The city is split into “Alpha” and “Bravo” schedules. Check the Memphis Curbside app or the city website to see which week your neighborhood falls into. If you put your blue bin out on the wrong week, it’ll just sit there until the next cycle.

Memphis offers curbside bulk pickup once every two weeks (on your off-recycling week). The rule of thumb is the “3-Foot Rule”: your pile shouldn’t be larger than 3 feet high, 3 feet wide, and 10 feet long. Anything larger requires a “special pickup” fee that will be added to your MLGW bill.

If you move into a new house and there are no bins, don’t just buy your own! Call 311 or use the Memphis 311 app. The city provides the bins, and they are assigned to the address, not the person.

While Xfinity and AT&T are the big players, keep an eye out for C Spire. They’ve been aggressively laying fiber in neighborhoods like Sea Isle and East Memphis. If they are on your street, they are often the “local” favorite for customer service.

If you prefer to pay in cash or just want to talk to someone, MLGW has several Community Offices (like the one on Main St. or on Summer Ave.).

Warning: Mondays and the days after holidays are notoriously busy. Use the “MLGW Drive-Thru” at the community offices to save yourself an hour of standing in line.