Construction continues on the $105 million Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project in southeastern South Dakota, with completion targeted for summer 2027.
The approximately 72-mile project is being developed to strengthen regional water reliability and expand access to treated water for communities and rural water systems in the area. The work includes pipeline installation, storage facilities, booster stations and upgrades to the Platte Water Treatment Plant.
The project has also expanded beyond the original pipeline work. Randall Community Water District is pursuing a $31.9 million Phase II expansion at the Pickstown Water Treatment Plant, which would increase treatment capacity from 6 million gallons per day to 12 million gallons per day.
Together, the improvements are intended to provide additional capacity, create greater redundancy between the region’s water treatment facilities and support long-term growth in water demand.
With pipeline and treatment plant work progressing, the Connecting Neighbors project remains on track toward its planned 2027 completion.
Hausmann Construction-General Excavating Joint Venture is executing the project, in partnership with Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., which was been awarded the design-build services contract. Also, the construction risk contract for the upgrade of the Platte Treatment Facility has been awarded, and work on this vital treatment plant will commence on improvements to it. ID8 Architecture will design the treatment plant building addition, and they will collaborate with other professional service providers.
The new pipeline will serve as a secondary, redundant water supply for Mitchell and increase the capacity of the Davison Rural Water System and the Aurora-Brule Rural Water System. Importantly, Scott Pick, the general manager for the Randall Community Water District, explained, “We deliver 100 percent of the water to Davison County, and they are going to receive added capacity. That pipeline will have capacity for their growth needs, and the city of Mitchell as well. Besides that, capacity will be added to the Aurora-Brule Rural Water System as well.”
Construction start
The construction commenced with the upgrade of the Platte Treatment Plant and then installation of a high-capacity water transmission line. The Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project runs from the Platte Tank Farm, a southwest of Platte, east and north to an existing storage site a south of Stickney and finally to a service site near Mitchell. The project will also include other facilities and infrastructure such as water storage, pumping stations to support the pipeline.
Central to the project is the need to address the growing water needs of southeastern South Dakota, a need that the Randall Community Water District is driving forward. The project team will complete construction within three years, marking a major step forward in securing sustainable and reliable water resources for the region.
This is a good example of collaboration and investment to address the growing water needs of expanding communities in South Dakota; the Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project is a key contributor to the state’s infrastructure development.
Additionally, the Connecting Neighbors project is part of a wider push to modernize regional water infrastructure across the United States. A similar investment is taking shape in Utah, where the $750 Million Strawberry High Line Project in Utah is advancing with Jacobs selected to provide engineering services for the replacement of a century-old canal with a modern pressurized water system.
Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project: Factsheet
Project Summary
The Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project is a $105 million infrastructure initiative to deliver clean, reliable water to southeastern South Dakota, primarily serving Mitchell, Davison County, and surrounding areas.
Key Details
Project Cost: $105 million
Pipeline Length: 72 miles
Construction Start: Spring 2025
Estimated Duration: 3 years
Project Route
Originates at Platte Tank Farm (southwest of Platte)
Travels east and north to storage site south of Stickney
Terminates at service site near Mitchell
Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project Key Contractors
Primary Construction: Hausmann Construction-General Excavating Joint Venture
Design-Build Services: Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc.
Architectural Design: ID8 Architecture (Treatment Plant)
Project’s Major Components
Platte Treatment Plant upgrades
High-capacity water transmission line
Water storage facilities
Pumping stations
Supporting infrastructure
Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project: Benefits and Impact
Provides secondary water source for Mitchell
Increases capacity for Davison Rural Water System
Expands Aurora-Brule Rural Water System
Supports regional growth and development
Ensures long-term water sustainability
Project Leadership
Lead Organization: Randall Community Water District
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