New Resident Resource Guide
Your Complete Guide to Getting Settled in the CSRA
Welcome to the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA)!
Whether you're moving to Augusta, Evans, Grovetown, Martinez, North Augusta, Aiken, or one of the surrounding communities, there are several important tasks to complete after you arrive.
This guide brings together the local resources, offices, and services you'll likely need during your first few weeks, helping you spend less time searching and more time enjoying your new home.
Quick Facts
✔ Some services vary by city or county.
Some services can be completed online, while others require an in-person visit.
Keep your closing documents or lease agreement readily available—you'll need them more than you think.
Driver's license and vehicle registration requirements differ for Georgia and South Carolina residents.
In This Guide
This guide is designed for:
Families relocating to the CSRA
Military families
First-time homebuyers
Retirees
Anyone moving to Georgia or South Carolina for the first time
Who This Guide Is For
Community Resources
Schools
Hospitals
Emergency Services
Libraries
Parks
Community Centers
Utilities
Electricity
Water & Sewer
Natural Gas
Internet & TV
Trash & Recycling
Government Services
Driver's License
Vehicle Registration
Homestead Exemption
USPS Address Change
Voter Registration
Helpful Links
County Websites
City Services
Local Resources
1. Electricity
Georgia Power
Georgia Power serves much of Augusta and portions of the surrounding Georgia communities. Because electric territories can vary by neighborhood, verify service using the exact property address.
Start service: Online or by phone
Residential service: 1-888-660-5890
Have the following ready:
Primary account holder’s name
Service address
Requested activation date
Social Security number
Telephone number
Mailing address, if different
Information about locked gates, pets, or access restrictions
Georgia Power may request additional verification, including a photo ID, Social Security card, lease, proof of ownership, or other occupancy documentation. Previously connected residential service may qualify for next-business-day activation when requested in time, excluding weekends, holidays, construction, and new-meter work.
Jefferson Energy serves portions of the Georgia side of the CSRA, including some properties in southern Richmond County, Hephzibah, Blythe, Burke County, McDuffie County, and neighboring rural areas.
Applications are available:
Online
By telephone
At a Jefferson Energy office
New applicants generally need:
Government-issued photo identification
Social Security number
Signed service agreement
Applicable membership, connection, or deposit payments
Existing-service applications are normally processed on the next business day after all required documents and fees are received. Online applications should be submitted at least two business days ahead.
Hephzibah-area telephone: 706-592-4531
Toll-free: 1-877-533-3377
Richmond County office: 3106 Highway 88, Blythe, GA 30805
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Aiken Electric Cooperative serves many properties in Aiken County and surrounding rural areas.
Member services: 803-649-6245
Office: 2790 Wagener Road, Aiken, SC 29803
Email: memberservices@aikenco-op.org
Residential applications are available through the cooperative’s online customer portal. Because territories overlap with other providers, use the property address to confirm whether Aiken Electric serves the home.
2. Water, Sewer, Trash and Recycling
This is the section to check most carefully. A mailing address that says “Grovetown” may be inside the City of Grovetown or within unincorporated Columbia County, and the utility provider will be different.
Augusta–Richmond County
Augusta Utilities
Customer service: 706-821-1851
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Downtown office:
452 Walker Street
Augusta, GA 30901
South Augusta office:
3463 Peach Orchard Road, Suite B
Augusta, GA 30906
New accounts and transfers require a completed application. Applicants must provide at least:
Legal name and contact information
Government-issued picture identification
Copy of the title, deed, lease, or a notarized property-owner letter confirming occupancy
Any additional information requested on the application
The completed Water Turn-On form must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. to be considered for same-day service. Augusta’s official FAQ states that customers must visit an office to establish the new account. A nonrefundable establishment or transfer charge is placed on the first bill.
Before Visiting
Bring the strongest proof of occupancy available:
Signed lease, or
Deed, Closing Disclosure, settlement statement, or ALTA document
State-issued photo ID
Any additional identity document requested by Augusta Utilities
A Social Security card is not listed as a universal minimum requirement on the current published Augusta application page. Because individual verification requirements may vary, call before visiting if you were specifically told to bring the physical card.
Water or sewer emergency after hours: 706-842-3060
Columbia County Water Utility serves many properties in Evans, Martinez, Appling, and unincorporated Grovetown.
Customer service: 706-863-6928
After-hours emergency: 706-860-2587
Office: 2140 William Few Parkway, Grovetown, GA 30813
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
To schedule new service:
Call customer service
Provide at least 24 hours’ notice
A $50 setup fee is added to the first bill
Same-day service, when available, adds a $40 same-day fee
The county specifically warns customers to use only its official payment office or website—not third-party billing services.
Residents located inside Grovetown city limits generally receive municipal water, sewer, stormwater, and garbage services through the City of Grovetown.
Utility Billing: 706-863-4576, extension 450
City Hall: 103 Old Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, GA 30813
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New service can be established online by creating an account and uploading the requested documents. The current residential setup fee is listed as $100, and the city warns residents not to use unofficial third-party payment sites.
After-hours water emergency: 706-863-1212
North Augusta combines water, sewer, sanitation, recycling, stormwater, and certain other municipal charges into the city utility account.
Municipal Building: 100 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841
Utility activation: 803-441-4219
Utility billing: 803-441-4212
Public Services: 803-441-4240
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
What to Bring
The city instructs new customers to bring:
Valid driver’s license or other photo identification
Social Security card
Lease or proof of property ownership
Required service fee and deposit
New or transferred service is available Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Current published residential charges include:
$30 activation fee
$30 deposit for an owner-occupied residence
$80 deposit for a rental residence
These charges may change, so confirm the total before visiting.
North Augusta provides weekly residential collection of household garbage, yard debris, and recyclables. Residents can find their collection day and holiday schedule through the city website.
After-hours utility emergency: 803-599-3118.
City of Aiken and Aiken County
Water service in Aiken County is highly location-specific. The county is served by the City of Aiken and numerous independent water or sewer districts.
City of Aiken
Water billing and service: 803-642-7603
Water and sewer questions: 803-642-7617
After-hours water emergency: 803-642-7620
Finance Department: 111 Chesterfield Street South, Aiken, SC 29801
Outside the City of Aiken
Possible providers include:
Bath Water and Sewer District
Beech Island Rural Community Water District
Breezy Hill Water and Sewer
Clearwater Water and Sewer District
Edgefield County Water and Sewer Authority
Langley Water and Sewer District
North Augusta
Talatha Rural Water District
Valley Public Service Authority
Other smaller municipal or rural systems
Aiken County recommends confirming the provider serving the exact address because there is no single countywide water utility
3. Natural Gas
Georgia Residents
Natural gas is not available at every property. Where Atlanta Gas Light infrastructure is present, residents select a certified natural-gas marketer rather than purchasing gas directly from Atlanta Gas Light.
Common residential marketers include:
Gas South
Georgia Natural Gas
SCANA Energy
True Natural Gas
Other Georgia-certified marketers
Compare:
Fixed versus variable rates
Contract term
Early-termination fee
Monthly customer charges
Deposit requirements
Customer-service hours
The Georgia Public Service Commission publishes the current list of certified marketers and monthly price comparisons. Rates change frequently, so the guide should link to the PSC comparison rather than display a fixed price.
South Carolina Residents
Dominion Energy provides natural-gas service to many South Carolina addresses, but availability must be checked by property address.
Service may be opened online using the address, Social Security information, and identification details. Customer service is available at 800-251-7234.
4. Internet and Television
Internet availability can change from one street—or even one side of a subdivision—to another. Always enter the complete address before choosing a provider.
Common CSRA providers include:
AT&T
Xfinity
WOW!
Regional or neighborhood fiber providers
Satellite or fixed-wireless services in rural areas
Before Ordering
Ask:
Is true fiber available at this address?
What are the download and upload speeds?
Is there an installation charge?
Is equipment included?
Is there a data cap?
Does the advertised rate increase after an introductory period?
Is a contract required?
How soon can installation be completed?
5. Driver’s Licenses
New Georgia Residents
New Georgia residents must generally transfer their out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residency.
Before visiting:
Complete the required online License/ID/Permit form.
Gather identity, lawful-status, Social Security, and residential-address documents.
Bring and surrender the current out-of-state license.
Be prepared for a vision screening, photograph, and applicable fee.
The nearest Augusta DDS Customer Service Center is:
3423 Mike Padgett Highway
Augusta, GA
DDS customer contact center: 678-413-8400.
New South Carolina Residents
South Carolina residents should use the SCDMV’s new-resident process to transfer the driver’s license and complete vehicle requirements. Because the necessary forms depend on citizenship, license status, vehicle ownership, liens, and insurance, link directly to the current SCDMV checklist rather than reproducing an oversimplified document list.
6. Vehicle Registration
Georgia
Vehicles must generally be registered within 30 days of moving to Georgia. Obtain the Georgia driver’s license or ID first, then visit the county tag office.
Typical requirements include:
Georgia driver’s license or ID
Completed MV-1 Title/Tag Application
Original out-of-state title
Lien or lease documentation, when applicable
Georgia liability insurance
Applicable title, tag, and Title Ad Valorem Tax payments
The state currently lists an $18 title fee and $20 standard registration fee, plus applicable TAVT. Nonresident active-duty military members stationed in Georgia may retain registration from their home-of-record state if the vehicle remains properly registered there.
Columbia County Tag Office
630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building C
Evans, GA 30809
Motor vehicles: 706-868-6884
For Richmond County, link users directly to the Richmond County Tax Commissioner’s current tag-office locations.
South Carolina
New South Carolina residents should complete the SCDMV title and registration process and address county vehicle-tax requirements. In South Carolina, personal-property taxes on the vehicle are generally handled through the county before or during the registration process, so residents should follow the SCDMV and Aiken County instructions in sequence.
7. Property-Tax Savings
Georgia Homestead Exemption
A qualifying homeowner should apply for homestead exemption on the home used as the permanent legal residence. This is not automatically completed at closing.
Columbia County
To receive the exemption for the current year, submit the application by April 1. The applicant generally must own and occupy the property as the legal residence as of January 1.
Common documentation includes:
Georgia driver’s license showing the property address
Columbia County vehicle registration
Recorded deed
Trust documentation, when applicable
Previous county’s exemption-release letter, when required
Additional documents for age-, income-, disability-, or military-based exemptions
Office: 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building C, Second Floor, Evans, GA
Property tax: 706-261-8299
Richmond County
Richmond County homeowners should apply through the Richmond County Board of Assessors or Tax Commissioner and confirm the current filing deadline and required documents. The county’s general property office is at 535 Telfair Street, Augusta, and the Board of Assessors can be reached at 706-821-2310.
South Carolina Legal Residence
South Carolina uses a Legal Residence special assessment, commonly called the 4% rate. A qualifying owner-occupied primary residence is assessed at 4% instead of the 6% rate generally applied when the legal-residence application has not been approved.
The application is not automatic. The owner must apply and certify that the home is the permanent legal residence. Rental homes, second homes, commercial portions, and certain acreage may not qualify.
Aiken County Assessor
1930 University Parkway, Suite 2400
Aiken, SC 29801
Telephone: 803-642-1583
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
South Carolina also has a separate Homestead Exemption for qualifying residents age 65 or older, legally blind, or totally and permanently disabled. That program is handled by the Aiken County Auditor and is different from the 4% Legal Residence assessment.
8. Address and Voter Updates
Complete an official USPS change of address and then update:
Banks and credit-card accounts
Insurance policies
Employer and payroll
Social Security and retirement accounts
Medical providers
Schools
Subscription services
Online shopping accounts
Professional licenses
Voter registration
Use only the official USPS change-of-address system or a post office. Third-party websites may charge unnecessary fees or collect personal information.
9. Schools
Georgia
Richmond County School System
Columbia County School District
Burke County Public Schools
McDuffie County School System
South Carolina
Aiken County Public School District
Edgefield County School District
Documents Families Commonly Need
Parent or guardian identification
Child’s birth certificate
Proof of address
Immunization record
Previous school records
Custody or guardianship documents, when applicable
Individualized Education Program or accommodation plan, if applicable
10. Healthcare and Emergency Resources
Major Augusta-Area Hospitals
Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center
1120 15th Street
Augusta, GA 30912
706-721-2273
Doctors Hospital
3651 Wheeler Road
Augusta, GA 30909
706-651-3232
Piedmont Augusta
1350 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30901
706-722-9011
Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center
300 East Hospital Road
Fort Gordon, GA 30905
706-787-5811
Eisenhower primarily serves eligible military beneficiaries and other authorized patients.
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Downtown campus: 950 15th Street
Uptown campus: 1 Freedom Way
Augusta, GA
706-733-0188
The Augusta VA system serves eligible veterans through its Augusta campuses and regional outpatient clinics, including an Aiken location.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency police, fire or ambulance: 911
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Georgia utility-location service: 811
Columbia County non-emergency information: 311 or 706-868-3375
Residents should also save:
Nearest urgent-care location
Preferred pharmacy
Primary-care provider
Pediatrician
Veterinarian and emergency animal hospital
Homeowners or renters insurance claims number
11. Community Resources
After the administrative work is finished, begin learning the community.
Useful starting points include:
Augusta–Richmond County Public Library System
Columbia County Library
Nancy Carson Library in North Augusta
Aiken County Public Library
Augusta Parks and Recreation
Columbia County Parks, Recreation and Events
North Augusta Parks, Recreation and Tourism
City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Augusta 311
Columbia County 311
Explore local parks, trails, farmers markets, libraries, community centers, and events gradually. You do not need to learn the entire CSRA during your first weekend.
The Arich Team Tip
Before closing, ask your agent or the seller for the home’s current utility-provider list. This is especially important in Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, Hephzibah, North Augusta, and Aiken, where mailing addresses and utility territories do not always match city boundaries.
Schedule essential service to begin on the closing date rather than assuming the seller’s account will remain active.
Common Mistake
Assuming every service can be opened by telephone
Electricity and gas can often be arranged online or by telephone. Water service may require uploaded documents or an in-person visit, depending on the jurisdiction.
Before going to an office, bring:
Government-issued photo ID
Lease or recorded ownership document
ALTA Settlement Statement or Closing Disclosure
Social Security card when the provider specifically requires it
Payment method for deposits and activation charges
One missing document can result in an unnecessary second trip.
Frequently asked questions
How do I determine which utility company serves my house?
Use the complete service address and contact the city, county, or provider directly. Do not rely only on the postal city printed in the address.
Can I start every utility online?
No. Georgia Power, Jefferson Energy, Grovetown, Aiken Electric, and Dominion provide online options for many requests. Augusta Utilities currently directs new customers to establish accounts through its customer-service process and published FAQ states that new accounts require an office visit.
What proof of occupancy should I bring?
Bring a signed lease or ownership evidence such as the deed, ALTA Settlement Statement, or Closing Disclosure. Also carry a government-issued photo ID and any additional identity document specifically requested by the provider.
Is homestead exemption completed when I buy the house?
No. Georgia homeowners must submit the appropriate county application. South Carolina homeowners must apply for the Legal Residence assessment to obtain the qualifying 4% assessment ratio.
Why does my Grovetown mailing address not use City of Grovetown utilities?
Postal addresses do not define municipal boundaries. Many homes with a Grovetown mailing address are located outside the city and receive Columbia County services.
Related Guides
Cost of Living in Augusta
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Download our printable Utilities & New Resident Checklist to keep track of utility transfers, address updates, and the essential tasks that help you settle into your new home.
Ready to Make the CSRA Home?
Relocating involves much more than finding a house. The Arich Team can help you compare communities, understand commute times, identify the correct local resources, and feel prepared before moving day.
📞 Ari Saladin: 808-594-7918
📞 Richard de los Santos: 386-333-4795
Serving Georgia & South Carolina | English • Español • Português
About the Authors
The Arich Team is a veteran-led, trilingual real estate team serving Augusta, Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, Hephzibah, North Augusta, Aiken, and the surrounding Central Savannah River Area.
Ari Saladin and Richard de los Santos understand relocation from both personal and professional experience. They created this guide to give new residents practical local information they can use before and after moving—not simply another list reminding them to “set up utilities.”
Veteran-Led. Family-Focused. Helping Families Build Wealth Through Real Estate.
The Arich Team
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📞 Richard: (386) 333-4795
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Proudly serving buyers, sellers, military families, and investors throughout Augusta, Evans, Grovetown, Martinez, Hephzibah, Harlem, North Augusta, Aiken, and the greater CSRA.
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