A Spring 2025 construction start has been announced, and construction contracts have been awarded for the massive $105 million Connecting Neighbors Regional Waterline Project. This 72-mile high capacity water pipeline will carry clean and reliable water to southeastern South Dakota, including the city of Mitchell, and Davison County, and surrounding areas.
Hausmann Construction-General Excavating Joint Venture will execute the project, in partnership with Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., which has 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 is to commence 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.
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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