Hilton Head Public Service District

What Hilton Head Public Service District does

Hilton Head Public Service District (PSD) is a South Carolina special purpose district created in 1969 by the state General Assembly to provide water and sewer services to the north- and mid-island areas of Hilton Head Island. It serves more than 19,000 residential and commercial customers in an exclusive, statutorily defined service territory from Windmill Harbour to the Hilton Head Resort. As a regulated government utility with mandatory connection requirements where sewer is available, the PSD has no traditional sales motion and is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Commissioners, with Pete Nardi serving as General Manager.

The PSD's core operations center on a multi-source drinking water system anchored by a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Drinking Water Treatment Facility on Jenkins Island, which produces 4 million gallons per day (MGD) and is expandable to 6 MGD, and supplemented by wholesale supply from the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (~30% of supply), freshwater wells, and a 2 MGD Aquifer Storage & Recovery well. Wastewater is collected through gravity and low-pressure sewer systems and processed at a recycled water plant that treats more than 1 billion gallons annually into irrigation water for 12 golf courses and nourishment for wetlands in Palmetto Hall and Hilton Head Plantation. The district also operates an in-house Water Quality Laboratory certified as a Laboratory of Excellence, conducts thousands of annual water quality tests, and provides digital services including a Sensus Analytics Water Usage Portal and a SmartC Mobile payment portal.

Revenue is generated through monthly water and sewer service charges (residential base charges of $19.25 water and $21.25 sewer, plus tiered usage rates from $1.88 to $4.44 per 1,000 gallons), capped residential sewer usage at 10,000 gallons per month, separate irrigation meter rates, and one-time connection and capacity fees ($2,400-$3,040 per unit). The PSD runs community programs including Project SAFE grants (over $4 million since 1999 helping 600+ families connect to sewer), the Bucks for a Better Island bill round-up program (90%+ customer participation, $30,000+ annually), and the Water Champion Award. It is an Audubon Certified Cooperative Sanctuary and a U.S. EPA WaterSense partner utility.

Name

Hilton Head Public Service District

Legal name

Hilton Head Public Service District

Website

https://hhpsd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hilton Head Public Service District is a South Carolina special purpose district that provides water and sewer services to more than 19,000 residential and commercial customers in the north- and mid-island areas of Hilton Head Island, operating Reverse Osmosis treatment, an Aquifer Storage & Recovery well, and a recycled water plant serving 12 golf courses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Water Service Charges: Monthly water service charges consisting of a base charge per unit plus usage charges based on tiered per-gallon pricing. Residential base charge is $19.25 per unit; commercial base charge is $23.50. Usage tiers range from $1.88 to $4.44 per 1,000 gallons depending on consumption level.
2. Sewer Service Charges: Monthly sewer service charges consisting of a base charge of $21.25 per unit plus usage charges of $3.16 per 1,000 gallons of water used. Residential sewer charges are capped at 10,000 gallons per month, resulting in a maximum sewer bill of $46.75 per month.
3. Connection and Installation Fees: One-time fees for new service connections including water meter installation ($1,360-$4,110 depending on meter size), sewer installation ($1,200 or time and materials), and sewer connection fee ($150). Also includes capacity fees of $2,400-$3,040 per unit.
4. Irrigation Services: Residential irrigation rates for customers with separate irrigation meters. Base charge of $19.25 per unit plus tiered usage charges from $2.52 to $4.44 per 1,000 gallons. 40-60% of PSD tap water is used for lawn irrigation.
5. Bucks for a Better Island Donations: Voluntary utility bill round-up program where customers contribute by rounding up monthly bills to the next highest dollar. Generates more than $30,000 annually directed to Project SAFE and Deep Well Project. More than 90% of PSD customers participate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hilton Head Public Service District is a special purpose district that provides drinking water production and distribution, sewer collection and wastewater treatment, and recycled water irrigation services to more than 19,000 residential and commercial customers on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The District operates a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Facility producing 4 million gallons per day, a Recycled Water Plant processing over 1 billion gallons of wastewater annually for golf course irrigation, and gravity and low-pressure sewer collection systems. Customer-facing services include a Secure Payment Portal, a Water Usage Portal, water quality laboratory testing, and connection programs.

Product overview

Hilton Head Public Service District is a special purpose district created in 1969 by the South Carolina General Assembly to provide water and sewer services to Hilton Head Island. It serves more than 19,000 customers across north- and mid-island areas. The District operates a multi-source drinking water system centered on a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Facility producing over 4 million gallons per day, supplemented by wholesale water from the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, freshwater wells, and an Aquifer Storage & Recovery well. Its sewer infrastructure includes gravity sewer and low-pressure sewer (LPS) systems, with a Recycled Water Plant that processes over 1 billion gallons annually into irrigation water for 12 golf courses and wetlands nourishment. Customer-facing offerings include a Secure Payment Portal (SmartC Mobile) and a Water Usage Portal (Sensus Analytics). Community programs include Project SAFE grants, Bucks for a Better Island bill round-up, the Water Champion Award, and a free Community Room. The District also publishes water quality reports, operates a certified in-house Water Quality Laboratory, and provides developer design specifications for construction standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drinking Water Supply & Treatment Production and distribution of high-quality drinking water sourced from a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Facility fed by a 600-foot-deep Middle Floridan Aquifer, supplemented by wholesale water from the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, freshwater wells, and an Aquifer Storage & Recovery well. The RO plant produces over 4 million gallons per day, expandable to 6 MGD.
• Sewer Collection & Wastewater Treatment Sewer collection system serving more than 19,000 customers, including both gravity sewer and low-pressure sewer (LPS) systems, with a Recycled Water Plant that treats all collected wastewater for beneficial reuse.
• Recycled Water Program Annual recycling of more than 1 billion gallons of treated wastewater into beneficial recycled water used for golf course irrigation across 12 Hilton Head Island courses and wetlands nourishment in Palmetto Hall and Hilton Head Plantation.
• Water Usage Portal A customer-facing online portal (powered by Sensus Analytics) that allows customers to track household water usage in real time, set usage alerts, and monitor consumption patterns to detect leaks or unusual usage.
• Secure Payment Portal
• Project SAFE (Sewer Access for Everyone) A grant program for income-qualified homeowners to cover all or a portion of costs associated with connecting to the public sewer system. Administered by the Deep Well Project with funding from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. More than $4 million has been donated since 1999, helping over 600 families connect to sewer.
• Water Quality Laboratory Services
• Water Efficiency & Conservation Programs
• Bucks for a Better Island
• Community Room
• Developer Procedures & Design Specification Manuals

Quantifiable outcome

• Recycles more than 1 billion gallons of wastewater annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and minor.

• Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBJWSA is the wholesale water provider supplying approximately 30% of PSD's water through a pipeline beneath the Intracoastal Waterway. BJWSA operates state-of-the-art water treatment plants in Chelsea and Purrysburg using the Upper Floridan Aquifer and ASR wells. PSD also stores wholesale water in its ASR well when rates are low for withdrawal during high-demand periods.
• Project SAFE (Sewer Access for Everyone)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry providing grants to income-qualified homeowners for sewer connection costs. Has received more than $4 million in donations since 1999 and helped 600+ families connect to sewer. PSD works with Deep Well Project to assist applicants.
• Deep Well ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization assisting low-income homeowners with Project SAFE and Town Sewer Connection Program applications. Volunteers help complete paperwork and connect families with grant funding. Located at 80 Capital Drive, Hilton Head Island.
• Town of Hilton Head Island Sewer Connection ProgramimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant program funded by $200,000 from American Rescue Plan Act to help income-qualified households transition from septic to public sewer. Referred applicants from Project SAFE who don't fully qualify. Household income must not exceed 100% of Area Median Income for Beaufort County.
• Hilton Head Water FundimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry helping both homeowners and rental units connect to PSD's public water system, complementing Project SAFE which focuses on sewer connections.
• Clemson University Extension ServiceimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing customer education about responsible lawn care, landscaping, and irrigation practices for the Lowcountry climate. Partners on Carolina Yards program teaching water-wise landscaping methods and hosts workshops at PSD Community Room.
• Community Foundation of the LowcountrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages Project SAFE and Hilton Head Water Fund charitable funds, making grant decisions for sewer and water connection assistance programs. Supports low-income residents with utility connections.
• Audubon InternationalimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program certification for environmental excellence. PSD achieved Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary designation through the program requiring action in environmental planning, wildlife habitat management, water quality conservation, resource management, and outreach.
• U.S. EPA WaterSenseimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSD is a U.S. EPA WaterSense Partner Utility. WaterSense protects water future by offering easy ways to use less water. Partnership provides access to water-efficient product information and practices for customers.
• American Water Works Association (AWWA)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSD is a member of AWWA, the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water. Partnership provides access to industry standards, research, and best practices.
• Water Environment Federation (WEF)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSD is a member of WEF, a research and leadership organization that champions innovation and leverages knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide.
• Alliance for Water EfficiencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSD is a member of this nonprofit organization dedicated to efficient and sustainable use of water, providing research and resources for conservation programs.
• 12 Hilton Head Island Golf CoursesimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerGolf courses receiving recycled water for irrigation include Port Royal (Barony, Robber's Row, Planter's Row, Arthur Hills, Robert Cupp), Bear Creek, Country Club of Hilton Head, Dolphin Head, Golf Club at Indigo Run, Golden Bear, Oyster Reef, and The Cypress. These partnerships conserve drinking water supply.
• Palmetto Hall and Hilton Head PlantationimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerWetlands areas nourished by recycled water from PSD. Former wetlands biologist Todd Ballantine monitored the wetlands for the PSD and reports these unique habitats would cease to exist without recycled water benefits.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• California Water Service Group: Investor-owned water utility serving regulated service areas in California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii; comparable as a regulated water-only utility operating treatment, distribution, and conservation programs at scale.
• SJW Group: Holding company for San Jose Water and Connecticut Water, regulated water utilities with treatment, storage, and distribution assets; comparable as a multi-jurisdiction regulated water utility focused on rate-base growth.
• Essential Utilities: Multi-state regulated water and natural gas utility; comparable in regulated-utility economics, rate-base capex model, and water/wastewater operations, though it operates across many jurisdictions rather than a single service territory.
• American Water Works Company: Largest investor-owned water and wastewater utility in the U.S., operating regulated utility subsidiaries across multiple states; comparable as a publicly regulated water utility with rate-base growth and treatment-plant capex, though much larger and geographically diversified.

Direct peers

• Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority: Neighboring South Carolina wholesale/retail water and sewer utility that supplies ~30% of PSD's water through the Intracoastal Waterway pipeline and operates ASR wells and surface-water treatment — directly comparable in service model, geography, and technology stack.
• North Charleston Sewer District: South Carolina special-purpose sewer and wastewater utility; comparable as a district-level regulated utility operating collection and treatment infrastructure with industrial and residential customers.
• Mount Pleasant Waterworks: South Carolina special-purpose district providing water and wastewater services to the Town of Mount Pleasant; directly comparable as a coastal SC utility with a similar residential-plus-tourism customer mix and growth-driven capex profile.
• Charleston Water System: Larger South Carolina public water and wastewater utility serving the Charleston metro area; directly comparable as a regulated municipal utility operating treatment, distribution, and reclaimed water programs in a coastal, tourism-driven region.

Regional players

• Sullivan's Island Water and Sewer Department: Municipal water and sewer operator on a South Carolina barrier island near Hilton Head; comparable as a small coastal island utility with similar climate, salt-intrusion, and seasonal-demand challenges, but operating at much smaller scale.

Emerging players

• Middlesex Water Company: New Jersey-based regulated water and wastewater utility with treatment, transmission, and customer-service operations; comparable in regulated-utility business model and water-quality focus, though smaller and geographically distinct.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hiltonheadpsd
• Facebookfacebook.com/hiltonheadpsd
• Instagraminstagram.com/hiltonheadpsd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hilton-head-public-service-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hilton Head Public Service District