By Randy Whetsell
To set up utilities in Clarksville TN, first confirm whether your new address is inside the City of Clarksville, in unincorporated Montgomery County, or on Fort Campbell. Then start or transfer electric service, water, sewer, natural gas, internet, and trash or recycling with the providers serving that specific address.
The process is usually straightforward, but the correct providers can change quickly when you move from Clarksville toward rural Montgomery County, Fort Campbell, Oak Grove, or the Hopkinsville area.
What should you confirm before setting up utilities?
Before contacting any provider, ask your landlord, builder, seller, or real estate professional for the complete property address, including the ZIP code and unit number. You should also confirm:
- The date your lease or ownership begins
- Whether utilities are currently active
- Which utilities are included in rent or on-post housing
- Whether the property uses city water and sewer, a rural water provider, a private well, or septic
- Whether the property is inside Clarksville city limits
- Which electric provider serves the address
- Whether internet service is already installed
This address check is particularly important along the Fort Campbell Boulevard corridor and near the Tennessee-Kentucky border. A home that feels close to Clarksville may have a different electric cooperative, water provider, or waste arrangement if it is outside the city.
Search Clarksville-area homes and land through Haus before you make a final move decision, and ask about utility availability during your offer or lease review.
Which company provides electricity in Clarksville and Montgomery County?
Does CDE Lightband serve your address?
CDE Lightband is the municipal electric provider inside the City of Clarksville. It also offers broadband services, including internet, television, and phone service, within its service area.
Use CDE Lightband’s official Start, Stop. Move. service page to begin or transfer service. The provider also offers online account access, bill payment, outage reporting, and broadband ordering through its website.
When you contact CDE Lightband, provide the service address and requested start date. Ask whether the address is eligible for electric service and whether you can order broadband at the same time. Confirm any required documentation, deposits, installation appointments, or account requirements directly with CDE rather than relying on a previous occupant’s information.
For outages, use the CDE Lightband Outage Center.
What if you live in rural Montgomery County?
If the home is outside the city limits, electricity may be supplied by Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC). CEMC serves portions of Montgomery County and other Middle Tennessee counties. Its services may also include internet through Cumberland Connect, subject to address availability.
Use CEMC’s official Start, Stop or Move page to request service or transfer an account. CEMC also provides online account management and outage reporting.
Do not assume that a Clarksville mailing address means CDE Lightband is the electric provider. Confirm the provider by address before your move-in date.
How do you start water, sewer, and natural gas service?
Does Clarksville Gas & Water serve the property?
Clarksville Gas & Water provides water, wastewater, and natural gas service to customers in the City of Clarksville and portions of the Montgomery County service area. The utility also serves some areas in southern Kentucky and the Fort Campbell installation, but availability must be confirmed for the specific property.
For service setup, transfer requests, billing questions, and account information, visit the City of Clarksville’s official Gas & Water Customer Service page. You can also use the Clarksville Gas & Water online billing portal.
The customer service office is listed at:
Clarksville Gas & Water
2215 Madison Street
Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: 931-645-7400
Toll-free: 888-800-4020
Ask the utility to confirm:
- Whether water, sewer, and gas are available at your address
- Which services you need to start or transfer
- The effective date for service
- Whether the home has a meter, well, septic system, or another arrangement
- Any deposit, identification, lease, or closing documentation requirements
- How to create online account access and enroll in payment options
If you are renting, check your lease before opening an account. Some rental properties include water, sewer, or gas in the monthly rent, while others require the tenant to establish individual service.
How does trash and recycling work after moving to Clarksville?
Clarksville and Montgomery County do not operate a standard municipal curbside trash route for residential properties. Instead, you generally choose between:
- Contracting with a private waste hauler for curbside pickup
- Taking household waste and separated recyclables to a Bi-County Solid Waste Management convenience center
The official Montgomery County recycling and sustainability information explains local recycling options and requirements. Bi-County operates convenience and recycling centers for Montgomery County residents, and materials may need to be separated before disposal.
Before your first collection day, confirm:
- Whether your address is served by the private hauler you are considering
- Pickup day and holiday schedule
- Cart or container requirements
- Accepted recycling materials
- Rules for bulk items, appliances, yard waste, and moving boxes
If you are inside Clarksville city limits, limited seasonal yard-waste services may be available through the city. For current requirements, check the City of Clarksville services and public works information.
Do not leave moving boxes, furniture, or bags at the curb unless your private hauler has confirmed that the items are included in your service.
How do you arrange internet service?
CDE Lightband is a local broadband option in its electric service area. Its offerings may include internet, television, phone, and related home connectivity services. Check availability by address through CDE Lightband residential broadband.
If CDE Lightband is not available, ask the seller, landlord, or property manager which providers have previously served the address. You can also check national providers directly, but availability, installation timing, equipment, and pricing should be confirmed at the provider’s official website.
Schedule internet installation early if you work remotely, homeschool, manage a business from home, or are arriving during a military PCS move. A serviceable neighborhood does not always mean that a particular home has an active connection or an available installation appointment.
What is different about Fort Campbell housing?
If you move into on-post housing through Campbell Crossing, do not automatically open separate off-post utility accounts. Fort Campbell housing information explains that basic utilities and trash or recycling arrangements are part of the on-post housing structure, with usage and billing details explained through the housing program.
Review the current information through Fort Campbell Housing Services and Army Housing’s Fort Campbell information. At move-in, ask exactly how electric, water, sewer, gas, trash, recycling, and internet are handled for your assigned home.
For an off-post rental in Clarksville, Oak Grove, or Hopkinsville, utilities are usually handled separately according to the lease. This is one reason your relocation plan should identify the property’s actual jurisdiction, not just the city listed in the marketing address.
What emergency utility numbers should new residents save?
Save these contacts after your service is active:
- 911: Fire, medical, police, or an immediate threat to life or safety
- Clarksville Gas & Water main customer service: 931-645-7400
- Clarksville Gas & Water after-hours utility emergency line: 931-645-0116
- Clarksville Gas & Water business-hours gas leak line: 931-645-7422
- CDE Lightband: Use the official outage center
- CEMC: Use the official outage map and service resources
- 811: Call before digging so underground utilities can be located
If you smell a strong natural gas odor, leave the property immediately and call 911 from a safe location. Do not operate electrical switches, light matches, or remain inside while investigating the odor.
What is the best order for setting up services?
Use this sequence:
- Confirm the property address and jurisdiction.
- Ask which utilities are included in your lease or on-post housing.
- Start or transfer electric service with CDE Lightband or CEMC.
- Establish water, sewer, and gas service with Clarksville Gas & Water or the applicable rural provider.
- Arrange internet and schedule installation if necessary.
- Select a private trash hauler or identify the closest Bi-County convenience center.
- Confirm recycling rules and moving-box disposal.
- Save outage and emergency numbers.
- Photograph meter readings and the property’s condition on move-in day.
Micheal Allen Holzhauer, Team Leader/Realtor with Haus, recommends confirming utility responsibility before signing: “A simple address-level utility check can prevent avoidable delays, especially for families moving between Clarksville, Fort Campbell, and Southern Kentucky.” Micheal can be reached at Micheal@YourTennesseeHomes.com or (931) 627-3205.
For military households and veterans comparing off-post options, you may also see local resources described as a “Tennessee Silver Level Veteran Ready Business.” Ask your relocation professional which services are designed around PCS timing, commute needs, and installation access.
Ready to plan your Clarksville move?
Haus Realty & Management helps buyers, renters, sellers, and military families evaluate properties throughout Clarksville, Montgomery County, Fort Campbell, and Southern Kentucky. You can learn more at Haus or review available properties through the Haus property search.
Talk with a Clarksville relocation specialist. Call the Clarksville office at 931-201-9694 or visit hausrm.com.
