New Regulations for Lead Piping in Water Systems

As you may have seen in recent news articles, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to require the replacement of lead pipes in water supply systems across the United States. These new rules will help many older communities in the USA speed up their old lead piping replacement. We don’t expect any impact at the Seabrook Island Utility Commission (SIUC) as we don’t have any lead piping in the SIUC system. Our water is supplied by Charleston Water via St. John’s Water Company and neither of them use lead pipes in their main water supply lines that feed us.

Most lead water piping was installed many decades ago. When the SIUC system was constructed in the 1970’s and 1980’s, no lead piping was used. Although our customers are responsible for the piping between the water meter and their house (as the home constructor installs this), to the best of our knowledge, none of the installed piping is lead.

We will continue to monitor these rules as they come out and will let you know if anything changes.

-Submitted by Jim Ferland, Seabrook Island Utility Commissioner

Reminder: Stay Informed During Extreme Weather Events


Despite warnings about the weather system heading our way this past Sunday, many people found themselves in dangerous waters. When extreme weather is predicted, always stay tuned to your local weather stations and visit the National Weather Service’s website for updated reports before you travel.

Locally, here are a few ways to stay informed during weather emergencies:

Other helpful links:

Be prepared for the possibility of a power outage by keeping your devices charged and having a backup power source available if needed. Most importantly, stay safe.

–Tidelines Editors

Keep Up with The Lake House Dec 20

The Lake House Activities & Events

  • Christmas Sale at The Lake House!

Come check out The Lake House Christmas Sale! Apparel is marked down 20% to 40%. Come get your Christmas gifts now!

  • Polar Bear Plunge – Monday, January 1, at 10:30 am at North Beach near Boardwalk 1.

Click here for more information about The Lake House activities.

The Lake House Holiday Hours of Operation

  • The Lake House will close at 12:00 pm on Sunday, December 24 and remain closed on Monday, December 25. There will be no access during the closure.
  • The Lake House will reopen on Tuesday, December 26, at 5:00 am for property owners (with afterhours access) and 8:00 am for guests.
  • The Lake House will close at 12:00 pm on Sunday, December 31. There will be no access during the closure.
  • The Lake House will reopen on Monday, January 1, at 5:00 am for property owners (with afterhours access) and at 8:00 am for guests. Fitness classes will be held on January 1.

Fitness Classes

Monthly Schedule
The December fitness calendar can viewed by clicking here. This schedule does not include Semi-Private classes.

Class Changes

  • Morning Flow Yoga – Effective Friday, December 1, Morning Flow Yoga will move to 10:05 am in The Lake House Studio.  

Class Name and Time Change

  • Evening Gentle Yoga becomes Candlelight Evening Yoga.
  • Beginning Wednesday, December 6, Candlelight Evening Yoga moves to begin at 6:00 pm.

Cancellations

  • Due to the American Red Cross Blood Drive, the following classes will be canceled on Thursday, December 21:
  • Pilates Express
  • Vinyasa Flow Yoga
  • Southern Dance Party
  • Get Pumped ‘
  • 30/30 Cardio Stretch

  • All Fitness Classes will be canceled on the following dates for the Christmas holiday:
  • Monday, December 25
  • Tuesday, December 26

Semi-Private Series
Sign up now for the following Semi-Private classes. For more information about the Semi-Private series as well as detailed descriptions of the individual classes, click here.

  • Brain Health – Tuesdays & Thursdays, January 9 – January 30, at 2:00 pm
  • Mind & Body Chair – Mondays & Fridays, December 1 – 22, at 4:00 pm.
  • All Over Fit – Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, December 4 – December 22, at 8:30 am.
  • Yin Yoga – Tuesdays, January 2 – January 30 (No class on January 23)
  • Chair Yoga – Wednesdays, January 3 – January 31, at 2:30 pm.
  • Sit & Be Fit – Mondays & Fridays, December 1 – 22, at 3:00 pm.
  • Social Fit Hybrid – Wednesdays, December 6 – 27, at 4:00 pm.

*New Special Interest Group*

Our mission is to encourage safe, enjoyable, and social sea kayak outings around Seabrook Island. The group’s main activity is weekly “Show and Go” trips leaving from the Crab Dock, typically on Wednesday afternoons and Friday or Saturday mornings, and other times as agreed.

For more information, please contact Rich Boss at aldrichlboss@gmail.com or 240-271-4825

The Lake House Wellness Services

For complete information about the Wellness Services, click here.

Indoor/Outdoor Pools

The regular outdoor pool hours:
– Monday through Friday opens at 9:15 am following the conclusion of the water classes and closes 9:00 pm.
– Saturday and Sunday open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Information about the indoor pool, as well as the rules for both indoor and outdoor pools, can be viewed by clicking here.

Please bring a towel with you. Pool towels are not provided. Amenity Cards are required to access The Lake House.

-Submitted by Jamie Mogus Mixson, The Lake House Manager

SITP Educational Efforts Pay Real Dividends

The mission of the Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol (SITP) is to help protect and preserve our sea turtles and educate residents and visitors about their needs. Over the years, the SITP has educated a countless number of people as they answer questions and provide information while patrolling the beach and during public inventories. Perhaps the most memorable experience for most is the chance to see and learn about live hatchlings being escorted to the water during inventories.

These lessons paid off concretely last month when Jack Stancil, the 23 year old grandson of Seabrook Island residents, Eileen and Bill Middleton, was paddle boarding in Florida. He noticed a sea turtle that had fishing wire wrapped around its flippers. He was able to pull the turtle out of the water and knew to call the local rescue center. The turtle, named Crush, is doing well after surgery to remove an ingested fishing hook. Jack credits the knowledge he received throughout his childhood from his grandparents and other turtle patrol members with enabling him to handle such a challenging situation. Thank you Jack and the Marine Life Rescue Center in Juno, Florida for saving this turtle’s life. The work of the SITP impacts the future in many ways and this is just one tangible example of the good work they do.

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol

(Image credit: Jack Stancil)

Yard Debris Update


Yard debris is scheduled to be collected as normal on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. We are expecting more yard debris than usual after the storm and it will probably take more than one day to collect it all. We have added an additional yard debris collection date on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. 

Thank you for your patience as we continue working on storm cleanup.

-Submitted by SIPOA

Flooding Emergency

St. John’s Fire District is advising residents not to travel if at all possible. Several roads throughout the island are flooded, and fire crews have had to respond to stranded vehicles in Seabrook and Kiawah. 

Seabrook Island Road is flooded in multiple locations between the gate house and Freshfields. Several motorists have been rescued by St. John’s Fire District personnel. Please stay home until flood waters recede!

If you see standing water, turn around, don’t drown! Or better yet, stay home until flood waters recede.

-Submitted by Joe Cronin, Town Administrator

Reminder: Looking to get involved with The Town of Seabrook Island?

The town is currently accepting applications from citizen volunteers for appointment to the following town board, commission and committees:

  • Accommodations Tax (ATAX) Advisory Committee
  • Board of Zoning Appeals
  • Community Promotions & Engagement Committee
  • Environment & Wildlife Committee
  • Planning Commission
  • Public Safety Committee
  • Public Works Committee

Click here for more information and an application form.

–Submitted by Seabrook Island Town Hall

Upcoming SIUC Meeting Dec 20

The Town of Seabrook Island has scheduled the following meeting:

  • Seabrook Island Utility Commission Meeting meets Wednesday, December 20 at 8:30 am. This meeting is via Zoom only. Click here to see the agenda.

    The next regular SIUC meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2024 at 8:30 am.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

SIGC January 12 Meeting: A Taste for Herbs

Friday, January 12
Presenter: Ella Cowen
Sea Island Savory Herbs
Location: Oyster Catcher Community Center

Greeting and refreshments: 9:30 am
Business meeting: 9:45 am
Presentation: 10:00 am with Q&A following

(*Please bring cash (small bills) to participate in our fun raffles, where the funds benefit our philanthropies. Guests of members are welcome to attend: $5 donation.)

Join us for the Seabrook Island Garden Club’s next regular meeting on Friday, January 12, featuring guest speaker, Ella Cowen, co-owner of Sea Island Savory Herbs plant nursery on Chisolm Road on Johns Island. Sea Island Savory Herbs is a woman-owned and operated business specializing in herbs, succulents, perennials, and seasonal vegetables. Check them out at: https://www.seaislandsavoryherbs.net/

Our guest speaker, Ella Cowen, owns and operates this nursery with her business partner, Danielle Spies. Sea Island Savory Herbs has been in existence in one form or another since the 1970’s, but for the past 10 years they have been actively selling plant cuttings, and seeds and vegetables, with a focus on herbs used in cooking.  Medicinal herbs, flowers, perennials and succulents are also sold. The property is in a lovely, out-of-the-way location, and because it’s a working farm, where they produce everything that they sell, it’s not like a pristine garden center. It’s a very special place!

The 2023-24 Seabrook Island Garden Club: Let’s Talk Some Dirt!

-Submitted by Beth Wright Seabrook Island Garden Club, Publicity

(Image Credit: Sea Island Savory Herbs)