Knowledge Base

Utility Deposits and Deposit Waiver Options

Overview

The City of Georgetown Utilities is committed to helping customers understand utility deposits, billing, and payment options. This guide explains when a deposit is required, how it may be waived, and how deposits are applied or returned.

Understanding Utility Deposits

Utility deposits help ensure timely payment for services. Deposit requirements and waiver options vary based on customer type (residential or commercial) and payment history.

Additional resources are available to help customers manage their accounts:

• How to Read Your Bill

• Deposits and Fees

• Bill Collection Process

• Secure Paperless Billing

Residential Customers

Deposit Requirement

Residential applicants are required to pay a $250 deposit, which will be billed on the first utility statement.

Deposit Waiver Options

The residential deposit may be waived if one of the following conditions is met:

• The applicant provides a letter of credit from a previous utility company showing no late payments within the past 12 months.

• The applicant is a former City of Georgetown utility customer with a good payment history within the past 12 months.

• The applicant enrolls in automatic monthly payments (credit card or bank draft) for a guaranteed 12-month period.

Exclusions

Applicants are not eligible for the automatic waiver if any of the following occurred within the previous 12 months:

• Disconnection for nonpayment

• Returned (NSF) checks

• More than two late payments

Commercial Customers

Deposit Requirement

Commercial applicants must pay a deposit equal to two times the average monthly bill, based on:

• The service address, or

• Another address of a similar business type and size 

Deposit Waiver Options

The commercial deposit may be waived if one of the following conditions is met:

• A Letter of Credit from a previous utility provider showing no late payments within the past 36 months

• A Letter of Credit from a bank

• A Surety Bond

• Prior City of Georgetown utility service with good payment history

• Enrollment in automatic monthly payments (credit card or bank draft) for a guaranteed 12-month period

Exclusions

Customers that have one of the following events in the previous 12-month period are excluded from participation:

• Disconnections for nonpayment

• Returned (NSF) checks

• More than two late payments

Deposit Refunds and Account Changes

• Deposits are credited back to the account after 12 consecutive months with no late payments.

• Interest is not earned on utility deposits.

• When an account is closed, the deposit is applied to the final bill. Any remaining balance is refunded by check.

• Customers transferring service to a new address must pay any outstanding balance on the current account before service can be established at the new location.

Non-City Entity Deposits

Deposits billed on behalf of non-City entities (such as MUDs) are subject to their own policies. These deposits may not follow the procedures outlined above, as each entity operates under separate rules.