Privacy Policy

Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Hilton Head Public Service District (“Hilton Head PSD,” “HHPSD,” “the PSD,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy of its customers, website visitors, employees, vendors, contractors, and members of the public.

This Privacy Policy explains how HHPSD collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information obtained through hhpsd.com, customer communications, utility operations, public programs, and services connected to our website.

This policy is provided for general informational purposes. It does not create contractual rights or rights beyond those provided under applicable federal, state, or local law.

1. HHPSD’s Public-Service Role

Hilton Head PSD is a public service district that provides water and wastewater services on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

As a public body, HHPSD is subject to laws governing public records, privacy, governmental record retention, and public access to information. These laws may include the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, the South Carolina Family Privacy Protection Act, and other applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Information submitted to HHPSD may become a public record and may be disclosed in response to a lawful public-records request unless the information is protected or exempt from disclosure under applicable law.

Please do not submit sensitive personal, financial, medical, or confidential information through a general website contact form or ordinary email unless HHPSD specifically requests that information through an appropriate secure method.

2. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through:

• The HHPSD website;
• Website contact forms;
• Email newsletter subscription forms;
• Emails, telephone calls, letters, and other communications with HHPSD;
• Customer service requests;
• Utility service applications and account administration;
• Public programs, facility use requests, events, and community activities;
• Website analytics, cookies, security tools, and server logs; and
• Other HHPSD interactions in which this policy is provided or referenced.

Separate websites, customer portals, payment processors, water-usage platforms, social media platforms, and other third-party services may maintain their own privacy policies, terms, and security practices.

3. Information We May Collect

Information You Provide

Depending on how you interact with HHPSD, we may collect information such as:

• Your name;
• Service address;
• Mailing or billing address;
• Email address;
• Telephone number;
• HHPSD customer or account number;
• Property or ownership information;
• Information needed to establish, maintain, transfer, or discontinue utility service;
• Billing and payment-related information;
• Communications, questions, complaints, service requests, and comments;
• Information submitted in connection with leak adjustments, sewer connections, inspections, permits, engineering matters, bids, employment, events, programs, or facility use;
• Newsletter and communication preferences; and
• Any other information you voluntarily provide.

Please provide only the information reasonably necessary for the purpose of your communication.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the HHPSD website, our website systems and service providers may automatically collect technical and usage information, including:

• Internet Protocol address;
• Browser type and version;
• Device type;
• Operating system;
• Referring website or page;
• Pages viewed;
• Date and time of access;
• Approximate geographic location derived from an IP address;
• Links, buttons, or website features used;
• Website performance and error data;
• Session information; and
• Cookie or similar technology identifiers.

This information may be used to operate, maintain, secure, measure, and improve the website.

Although HHPSD may not use this information to directly identify a particular visitor, some technical information may be considered personal information under applicable law.

4. How We Collect Information

HHPSD may collect information:

• Directly from you;
• Through website forms;
• Through email, telephone, mail, or in-person communications;
• Through customer service and utility account activities;
• Through service applications, permits, inspections, and public programs;
• Through cookies, server logs, analytics tools, and security technologies;
• From contractors and service providers working on HHPSD’s behalf;
• From governmental entities, public records, property records, developers, property owners, or authorized representatives; and
• From other lawful sources when reasonably necessary to provide utility or governmental services.

5. How We Use Information

HHPSD may use information for lawful public, operational, administrative, and legal purposes, including to:

• Establish, maintain, verify, and administer customer accounts;
• Provide water and wastewater services;
• Generate bills and process or reconcile payments;
• Respond to questions, complaints, service requests, and emergencies;
• Communicate about service interruptions, boil-water advisories, infrastructure work, conservation measures, billing matters, public meetings, weather events, and other notices;
• Administer sewer connections, inspections, permits, engineering matters, and development procedures;
• Provide requested newsletters, educational materials, conservation information, and public updates;
• Manage public programs, events, tours, community-room requests, awards, vendor relationships, bids, and employment matters;
• Verify identity, account ownership, property interest, or authorization;
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, misuse, cybersecurity incidents, and unlawful activity;
• Operate, secure, maintain, and improve the HHPSD website;
• Analyze website traffic and performance;
• Maintain governmental, operational, financial, and customer records;
• Comply with audits, record-retention schedules, court orders, subpoenas, public-records requirements, and other legal obligations;
• Protect the health, safety, property, rights, and operations of HHPSD, its customers, employees, contractors, and the public; and
• Carry out other activities consistent with HHPSD’s lawful duties and public-service responsibilities.

6. Email Communications and Constant Contact

Visitors may voluntarily subscribe to receive HHPSD newsletters, conservation updates, community news, event announcements, public information, or other communications.

HHPSD uses Constant Contact to manage email subscriptions and distribute newsletters and other optional email communications.

When you subscribe, we may collect information such as:

• Your name;
• Your email address;
• Your subscription preferences;
• The date and method of subscription; and
• Information about interactions with HHPSD emails, such as email opens or link clicks.

Constant Contact may process this information on HHPSD’s behalf in accordance with its own privacy and security practices.

You may unsubscribe from optional email communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in the email or by contacting HHPSD.

Unsubscribing from optional newsletters will not prevent HHPSD from sending communications necessary to:

• Administer your utility account;
• Provide water or wastewater service;
• Send billing or payment information;
• Respond to your request;
• Provide service interruption or emergency notices;
• Communicate public-health or safety information; or
• Comply with legal obligations.

Information submitted through email or an online form may be retained as an HHPSD record and may be subject to public-records and governmental record-retention laws.

Ordinary email and general website forms should not be considered secure methods for transmitting payment-card numbers, bank-account details, Social Security numbers, passwords, medical information, or similarly sensitive information.

7. Online Payments and Customer Portals

HHPSD may provide links to online payment, billing, customer account, or water-usage services operated by third-party service providers.

When you follow a link to one of these services:

• You may leave the HHPSD website;
• Information may be collected directly by the third-party provider;
• The provider’s terms, privacy policy, and security practices may apply; and
• HHPSD may receive payment confirmations, transaction status, account updates, usage data, or other information necessary to administer your account.

Payment-card numbers, bank-account information, login credentials, and other payment details should be entered only through an HHPSD-approved secure portal or payment method.

HHPSD does not control every aspect of an independently operated third-party website or platform. You should review the privacy and security information provided by the applicable service before submitting sensitive information.

8. Website Hosting and WP Engine

The HHPSD website is hosted by WP Engine, a managed WordPress hosting provider.

WP Engine may process technical information necessary to host, secure, maintain, back up, and deliver the website. This may include:

• IP addresses;
• Server and access logs;
• Browser and device information;
• Website request data;
• Security-event information;
• Backup data; and
• Technical troubleshooting information.

WP Engine provides services such as website hosting, server management, backups, platform monitoring, firewall protection, malware detection, and other infrastructure-level security features.

WP Engine maintains its own privacy, security, and data-processing practices.

9. Cookies and Similar Technologies

HHPSD and its service providers may use cookies, pixels, local storage, server logs, and similar technologies.

Cookies are small files that may be stored on your browser or device when you visit a website.

These technologies may be used to:

• Make the website function properly;
• Remember privacy or cookie preferences;
• Protect forms and systems from spam, fraud, or abuse;
• Maintain website security;
• Understand how visitors use the website;
• Measure website traffic and performance;
• Diagnose technical problems;
• Support embedded website features; and
• Improve website content, navigation, accessibility, and services.

The HHPSD website may display a cookie consent banner that allows visitors to manage certain non-essential cookies.

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies support basic website functions, security, network management, form processing, and privacy preferences.

These cookies may be active because the website may not function properly without them.

Analytics and Performance Cookies

Analytics and performance cookies help HHPSD understand how visitors interact with the website, including which pages are viewed, how visitors arrive at the website, and whether technical errors occur.

These cookies may be controlled through the website’s cookie preference settings where applicable.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies may support enhanced website features, embedded content, accessibility preferences, videos, maps, or other optional services.

Third-Party Cookies

Third-party content or services may place or access cookies according to the third party’s own privacy practices.

10. Your Cookie Choices

Where a cookie-management tool is available, you may use it to review, accept, reject, or change your preferences for non-essential cookies.

Necessary cookies may remain active because they are required for website operation, security, or privacy preferences.

You may also configure your browser to:

• Block cookies;
• Delete existing cookies;
• Notify you when cookies are being set; or
• Limit certain tracking technologies.

Blocking or deleting cookies may affect website functionality, embedded content, form operation, or saved preferences.

Cookie preferences apply to the browser and device on which they are selected. You may need to reset your preferences if you use a different browser, clear your browser data, or use another device.

11. Google Analytics

HHPSD uses Google Analytics to better understand how visitors use the website and to improve website performance, navigation, accessibility, services, and content.

Google Analytics may collect information such as:

• IP address;
• Browser and device information;
• Operating system;
• Pages visited;
• Time spent on pages;
• Referring websites;
• Approximate geographic location derived from an IP address;
• Website interactions;
• Session information; and
• Cookie or analytics identifiers.

Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to generate reports about website traffic and visitor behavior.

Where required or supported by the website’s configuration, Google Analytics may operate in accordance with visitors’ cookie consent preferences.

HHPSD does not authorize Google Analytics information to be used to determine an individual’s eligibility for utility service or to make decisions about an individual customer account.

Google processes analytics information according to its own privacy, security, and data-handling practices.

12. Embedded Content, Maps, Videos, and Social Media

The HHPSD website may include content or features provided by third parties, such as:

• Maps;
• Videos;
• Social media links or feeds;
• Document viewers;
• Online forms;
• Fonts;
• Accessibility tools; or
• Other embedded resources.

When you interact with third-party content, the provider may receive technical information about your device or website visit and may use cookies or similar technologies.

Your use of those services is governed by the applicable third party’s privacy policy and terms.

HHPSD’s presence on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, or another social platform is also subject to the platform’s privacy practices.

Information posted publicly on social media may be visible to other users and should not be considered private.

13. How Information May Be Shared

HHPSD may disclose information when reasonably necessary for its lawful operations, including to:

• HHPSD employees and commissioners;
• Contractors, consultants, engineers, attorneys, auditors, insurers, and other authorized representatives;
• Website hosting, cloud infrastructure, backup, cybersecurity, website maintenance, and technical support providers, including WP Engine;
• Email communication and newsletter providers, including Constant Contact;
• Website analytics providers, including Google Analytics;
• Information-technology, software, customer-service, billing, and records-management providers;
• Payment processors, banks, financial institutions, and customer-portal providers;
• Governmental, regulatory, law-enforcement, public-health, emergency-response, or judicial authorities;
• Contractors performing utility, construction, inspection, maintenance, engineering, collection, or account services;
• A property owner, account holder, authorized representative, or other person legally entitled to receive the information;
• Parties involved in an audit, investigation, insurance claim, litigation, subpoena, court order, or legal proceeding;
• Persons requesting records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act or another disclosure law, to the extent disclosure is legally required or permitted; and
• Other parties when authorized by you or permitted or required by law.

HHPSD does not sell personal information for commercial advertising purposes.

Service providers receiving information from HHPSD are expected to use it only for the services they provide or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

14. Third-Party Service Providers

HHPSD uses third-party providers to support website and communication functions, including:

• WP Engine for website hosting and related infrastructure;
• Google Analytics for website analytics; and
• Constant Contact for newsletter subscriptions and email communications.

These providers may process information necessary to perform their services and maintain their own privacy, security, and data-processing practices.

HHPSD may replace, add, or remove service providers as its operational needs change.

15. South Carolina Public Records and Privacy Laws

HHPSD is subject to laws designed both to promote open government and to protect certain personal information.

Records in HHPSD’s possession may be available for public inspection or copying unless an exemption or other legal protection applies.

Whether a particular record must be disclosed depends on:

• The nature of the record;
• The information contained in the record;
• The reason the record is maintained; and
• Applicable federal, state, and local law.

Information that may be protected from disclosure can include certain:

• Financial information;
• Payment information;
• Account-security information;
• Personal identifying information;
• Personnel information;
• Attorney-client communications;
• Security or infrastructure information; and
• Other information protected under applicable law.

No statement in this policy guarantees that information submitted to HHPSD will remain confidential.

HHPSD will evaluate public-records requests and disclosure obligations in accordance with applicable law.

The South Carolina Family Privacy Protection Act restricts certain uses of personal information obtained from state and local governmental entities, including specified uses for commercial solicitation.

If this Privacy Policy conflicts with a federal, state, or local law governing record collection, retention, use, or disclosure, the applicable law will control.

16. Data Security

HHPSD uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

These safeguards may include:

• Access controls;
• Employee procedures;
• Secure systems;
• Platform and network monitoring;
• Website firewalls;
• Malware detection;
• Vendor-management practices;
• Website and system backups;
• Encryption where appropriate; and
• Other risk-based security measures.

The HHPSD website is hosted by WP Engine, which provides managed WordPress hosting and infrastructure-level security measures.

No website, email system, database, network, or electronic transmission method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

You are responsible for protecting your account credentials and for notifying HHPSD promptly if you believe your account, password, email address, payment information, or other credentials have been compromised.

Do not send passwords, full payment-card numbers, bank-account credentials, Social Security numbers, or similarly sensitive information through a general website form or ordinary email.

17. Data Retention

HHPSD retains records for the period reasonably necessary to:

• Provide utility services;
• Maintain customer accounts;
• Complete and document transactions;
• Respond to questions, complaints, and disputes;
• Support billing, accounting, auditing, security, litigation, and insurance needs;
• Comply with governmental record-retention schedules;
• Meet regulatory obligations; and
• Satisfy other legal or operational requirements.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of record and the purpose for which it is maintained.

HHPSD may be legally required to retain certain records even when an individual asks that the information be deleted.

Information maintained by third-party providers may also be subject to their retention schedules and HHPSD’s contractual or legal requirements.

18. Reviewing or Correcting Your Information

You may contact HHPSD to request a review or correction of certain customer-account information.

Before releasing or changing account information, HHPSD may require verification of:

• Your identity;
• Account ownership;
• Property interest;
• Authority to act for another person; or
• Other information necessary to protect the account.

HHPSD may deny, limit, or modify a request when necessary to:

• Protect another person’s privacy;
• Preserve required governmental records;
• Maintain billing or transaction history;
• Protect system or account security;
• Prevent fraud;
• Comply with legal obligations; or
• Maintain accurate public or operational records.

19. Children’s Privacy

The HHPSD website is intended for a general audience and is not directed primarily to children under 13.

HHPSD does not knowingly use the website to solicit personal information from children under 13 without appropriate authorization.

Educational programs, tours, contests, or community activities involving children may be administered with the participation of a parent, guardian, school, or responsible organization.

A parent or guardian who believes a child has submitted personal information through the website may contact HHPSD.

20. External Links

The HHPSD website may contain links to websites operated by:

• Government agencies;
• Utilities;
• Payment providers;
• Customer-portal providers;
• Social media companies;
• Community organizations;
• Contractors; or
• Other third parties.

A link does not mean HHPSD controls or endorses the third party’s privacy, security, accessibility, accuracy, content, or business practices.

Once you leave the HHPSD website, you should review the privacy policy and terms of the website you are visiting.

21. Do Not Track and Privacy Signals

Some browsers provide “Do Not Track” settings or other browser-based privacy signals.

Because there is no universally adopted standard governing every such signal, the HHPSD website may not respond uniformly to all browser-based signals.

Where required by applicable law or supported by HHPSD’s website technologies, HHPSD may recognize cookie consent choices or legally recognized privacy signals.

Visitors may manage available cookie preferences through the website’s cookie settings.

22. Changes to This Privacy Policy

HHPSD may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• Website technologies;
• Service providers;
• Utility operations;
• Legal obligations;
• Security practices; or
• Information-handling procedures.

The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

Material changes may also be communicated through the website or another appropriate method.

23. Contact HHPSD

Questions about this Privacy Policy, customer records, or HHPSD’s information practices may be directed to:

Hilton Head Public Service District
21 Oak Park Drive
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 21264
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29925

Customer Service: 843-681-5525
Fax: 843-681-5052
Email: [email protected]

For public-records requests, please follow HHPSD’s public-information procedures or contact HHPSD for assistance.

HHPSD should have its attorney or public-records officer review the final version before publication, particularly the public-records, retention, and customer-account sections.