To set up utilities in the Savannah corridor, start about 2 weeks before move-in. Your address decides your electric and water provider. Contact Georgia Power or your local electric co-op for power, your city or county water office for water and sewer, and check internet availability by address. Most services activate within a few business days.
Set up utilities a week or two before your move-in date. Most services in this area activate within a few business days, but water accounts sometimes require an in-person visit and a deposit, so start early.
Electric
Your provider depends on your exact address, not just your town. In and around Richmond Hill, two providers cover the area: Georgia Power and Coastal Electric Cooperative. Coastal Electric serves Bryan, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties. In north Bryan near Pembroke and Ellabell, some addresses fall under Canoochee EMC or Excelsior EMC instead.
In Effingham County, Rincon and Springfield are served almost entirely by Georgia Power. Guyton splits between Georgia Power and Planters EMC, with a small share on Excelsior EMC. Pooler and West Chatham are Georgia Power territory.
Ask your landlord, builder, or closing attorney which provider covers your address, or confirm it on each provider’s website. Start Georgia Power service at georgiapower.com or by phone. For co-op service, contact the co-op directly.
Water and Sewer
Water is the one utility where your exact address decides everything, because cities and counties run separate systems.
- Richmond Hill city limits: the City of Richmond Hill water department handles service. Apply through the city’s website or at City Hall.
- Unincorporated Bryan County: Bryan County Water and Sewer, with offices in Pembroke and Richmond Hill.
- Effingham County: the county’s Water & Sewer department in Springfield handles activations, and a location in Rincon also accepts them.
- Pooler: the City of Pooler utilities department handles water and sewer inside city limits.
- Some newer subdivisions: a private company such as Water Utility Management runs the system. Your HOA or builder will tell you if this applies.
Bring a photo ID and your lease or closing statement. Expect a deposit and an activation fee.
Natural Gas
Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. Atlanta Gas Light maintains the pipes, but you choose a marketer and the rate plan. Compare current offers before signing. Rates vary widely for identical gas.
Trash
Service varies by city and county. Richmond Hill and Pooler include or arrange residential pickup through the city. Unincorporated county addresses usually contract directly with a private hauler or use county convenience centers. Ask your city hall or county office which applies to your street.
Internet
The corridor has strong coverage, but the provider and speed change street by street. Check your exact address with each provider rather than trusting coverage maps.
- Xfinity (cable): broad coverage across Pooler, Rincon, Richmond Hill, and West Chatham.
- AT&T Fiber: reaches over half of Pooler homes and much of Richmond Hill, with symmetrical speeds.
- Kinetic by Windstream (fiber): strong in Rincon and parts of Effingham.
- Clearwave Fiber: available across much of Rincon.
- Rural pockets (Ellabell, Clyo, outer county roads) often rely on T-Mobile or Verizon 5G home internet, or Starlink satellite.
Fiber has reached many newer subdivisions. Run an address check on each provider’s site to see what’s live at your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I set up utilities before moving to the Savannah area?
Start about 2 weeks before your move-in date. Most services activate within a few business days, but water accounts sometimes need an in-person visit and a deposit, so give yourself a head start.
Who provides electricity in Bryan and Effingham counties?
Your address decides your provider. Around Richmond Hill, it’s Georgia Power or Coastal Electric Cooperative. North Bryan near Pembroke and Ellabell may fall under Canoochee EMC or Excelsior EMC. In Effingham, Rincon and Springfield are mostly Georgia Power. Confirm your address with each provider.
Who do I contact for water and sewer service?
It depends on your exact address. Inside Richmond Hill or Pooler city limits, the city handles it. Unincorporated Bryan County uses Bryan County Water and Sewer. Effingham County residents use the county Water and Sewer department. Some new subdivisions use a private company.
What are the main internet providers in the corridor?
Xfinity cable covers most of the corridor. AT&T Fiber reaches much of Pooler and Richmond Hill. Kinetic and Clearwave Fiber serve Rincon. Rural addresses often use 5G home internet or Starlink. Check your exact address on each provider’s site.