Utilities in Pima County (unincorporated).
Catalina Foothills, Tanque Verde, Casas Adobes and the northwest fringe are not in any town. Water and trash depend on the exact address, and there is no city bulky pickup.
Who serves Pima County.
Tucson Electric Power (TEP)
most of the countyThe electric utility for the Tucson metro. Start, stop or transfer service online; a deposit may apply without an established credit history.
Trico Electric Cooperative
Picture Rocks, Tortolita, far northwestMember-owned co-op serving Marana, parts of Oro Valley, Picture Rocks, SaddleBrooke, Sahuarita and other outlying areas. You become a member when you open service.
Southwest Gas
propane in some outlying pocketsNatural gas for most of the metro. Have your SSN handy for the application. If the gas is off at the property, a technician needs access inside to relight the furnace and water heater, so book early.
Tucson Water
Foothills and much of the countyWater for the City of Tucson and much of the surrounding county. Inside the city, your Tucson Water bill also carries Pima County sewer and city trash and recycling.
Metro Water District
northwest, Sabino Canyon area, southwest pocketsServes Metro Main (northwest), Metro Hub (near Sabino Canyon) and Metro Southwest. A separate district with its own elected board, not part of the city.
Pima County Regional Wastewater (RWRD)
billed separately when on sewerCounty sewer. Inside the City of Tucson it rides on the Tucson Water bill; elsewhere it is billed separately or the home is on septic.
Septic (no sewer service)
common in Tanque Verde and the far FoothillsMany county, Vail, Tanque Verde and SaddleBrooke homes are on septic. Arizona requires a transfer inspection at sale; see Old Pueblo Septic on the vendors page.
WM (Waste Management)
pick one private haulerPrivate curbside trash and recycling, strong in the northwest and Marana. No annual contract for residential. For a take-over it is usually easiest to call the Tucson office at (520) 287-0777 and say you are taking over service.
Republic Services
Private curbside trash and recycling across the metro, plus bulk pickup by appointment.
Cox Communications
Cable internet and TV for most of the metro. Many homes are pre-wired; self-install kits are common.
Xfinity
Comcast’s cable internet, TV and mobile. Coverage is address-specific, so check before you assume. Ordering online while the seller still has service? Choose “No, I am moving here as a new customer.”
Quantum Fiber
select neighborhoodsSymmetrical fiber in select neighborhoods. If your address qualifies, it is usually the best connection in the house.
No curbside bulky program. Pima County residents use the transfer stations (Tangerine, Sahuarita, Ajo Way) or schedule a bulk pickup with their hauler. VERIFY current fees.
Moving in, in order.
Power, gas and water never actually turn off between owners. You take over the account. Set up "take over service" with each provider one to two weeks before closing, dated the day of closing or the day before to be safe.
- Today: homeowners insuranceShop it as soon as you are under contract; the lender needs the policy before closing. If your current insurer does not write southern Arizona, I send people to James Carpenter at American Family.
- Two weeks out: gas and waterSouthwest Gas wants your SSN for the application and needs a technician inside if the gas is off. Water companies want three to five business days, and some (Lago Del Oro, for one) ask for a copy of the purchase agreement.
- One to two weeks out: electricTEP and Trico both take over online. Date it the day of closing or the day before, not move-in day.
- One week out: trash and internetPrivate haulers: call and say you are taking over service at the address. Internet: confirm the provider at SmartMove first. If you order online while the seller still has service, choose "No, I am moving here as a new customer."
- After close: HOA and bulkyRead the CC&Rs for trash-can rules and hauler requirements, then find your bulky pickup schedule above.
Pima County specifics.
Who picks up my trash in the Foothills?
Tucson Water or Metro Water?
Moving to Pima County?
Tell me the address and I will confirm every provider on this page for that exact house.
Provider coverage changes block by block. Every line marked "verify" is being confirmed. Last reviewed October 2026. Questions: 520-775-3400.