Opening or Closing an Account
There are three ways to open or close a water/sewer account at an existing home or business in our service area (Greater Charleston, SC):
For information about service for new construction, visit the new development page.
Our office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please allow at least one business day's notice to activate water service.
New water accounts and sewer accounts are each charged an account origination fee. The water origination fee is $30. The origination fee for a CWS sewer account is $30. The origination fee for other sewer providers varies. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferrable and will appear on your first bill.
You will need the following information to open an account:
For Residential Accounts:
- Your name and social security number
- Date you would like water service to begin
- Address of the property to receive service
- Mailing address (if different)
- Daytime and evening phone number
- In some cases, we may require additional information, such as a copy of a lease agreement, photo ID, etc.
For Commercial Accounts:
- Company name
- Name of the commercial co-signer and his/her social security number(required for some accounts)
- Date you would like water service to begin
- Address of the property to receive service
- Mailing address
- Daytime and evening phone number
Closing a Commercial Account with a Fire Service
Commercial accounts that have a separate fire service line must provide written authorization from the property owner, insurer, and fire marshal before Charleston Water System will close the account. Download the authorization form (PDF fillable form).
This policy is intended to protect the property in the event of a fire and to protect Charleston Water System from liability. If written authorization is not provided, we will continue to bill the account until a new party requests water service at the location.
Important information about turning on your water service
Open Fixtures
When water service is off at a home or business, fixtures can be turned on and unknowingly left in the open position. If this happens, water will begin flowing when we turn on your service, posing a potential risk of flooding. For this reason, we strongly recommend that someone is present when we turn on your water.
If no one is present and our technician suspects an open fixture based on movement of the water meter's flow indicator, the technician will leave your water service off and we will reschedule your service activation. This will result in your account be charged a Revisit Fee.
