Jun. 19—STICKNEY, S.D. — Local leaders, stakeholders, and project partners gathered Tuesday to break ground on the Randall Regional Waterline Project, a major infrastructure initiative expanding water service across southeastern South Dakota.
Over the next two years, the Randall Community Water District (RCWD) will install approximately 72 miles of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fused pipe, extending service from Platte to Mitchell and updating aging infrastructure. The project also includes upgrades to the Platte Water Treatment Plant and the addition of new water storage and pumping facilities. Designed to serve the Aurora-Brule and Davison Rural Water Systems, the improvements will also provide a critical redundant water source for the city of Mitchell.
The estimated $110 million project is supported by a $22.4 million ARPA grant, with the remainder financed through the State Revolving Fund loan program.
Scott Pick, General Manager of RCWD, told the Mitchell Republic the project brings both infrastructure and financial benefits to the region. Mitchell, for example, will not only receive more water but also gain utility revenue. He also credited the project team for staying on an accelerated schedule and using alternative contracting methods to reduce costs by up to 25%.
“It’s almost bellwether,” Pick said. “It shows what can be done with teamwork.”
In April, the project began pipe delivery and fusing. As of late May, about 26,000 feet of HDPE pipe had been fused. Pipe laying began in early June, shortly before the official ceremony. The full project is scheduled for phased completion by summer 2027.
Installation phases include:
* Spring 2025 to Spring 2026: Pipe installation from the Stickney Elevated Storage Tank east toward Mitchell.
* Fall 2025 to Spring 2027: Expansion south and west toward the Platte Tank Farm.
* May 2025 to Summer 2026: Platte Treatment Plant upgrades to increase capacity.
Project partners include Hausmann Construction and General Excavating with SEH for design-build; Hausmann for treatment plant improvements; ID8 Architecture for design; Pinpoint Corporation as owner’s rep; and Brosz Engineering for preliminary work. The HDPE pipe, known for its long-term durability, is being supplied by ISCO and manufactured by Pipeline Plastics.
Founded in 1976, RCWD serves about 3,100 rural customers and 15 bulk customers across seven counties.
RCWD Board President Dave Meyerink said the project reflects decades of leadership in rural water service.
“This is more than just pipes in the ground; it’s a vital artery connecting our communities with safe, sustainable water,” Meyerink said in a press release. “We’re securing the future for our neighbors.”
Governor Larry Rhoden praised the project as essential for supporting the state’s communities, agriculture, and economy.
“Access to clean, reliable water is foundational to the success of our communities, families, ag industry, and economy as a whole,” Rhoden said in a press release. “We will continue to prioritize strong, sustainable water systems for future generations.”
The initiative addresses growing demand, system redundancy, and drought resilience. In Mitchell, current water demand frequently exceeds capacity.
Pick emphasized the need for investment in water access.
“Imagine getting up tomorrow, turning on the tap, and there’s no water,” Pick said in a press release. “Let’s think about the value of water and the investment required.”
Ron Gillen, a semi-retired farmer from the White Lake area and Board President of Aurora-Brule Rural Water System, played a key role in project development. As a consulting engineer, Gillen helped determine project size, negotiate agreements and coordinate among regional partners.
“This project isn’t just about meeting today’s needs — it’s about building for the future,” Gillen told the Mitchell Republic. “Most systems built in the ’70s and ’80s were only funded for existing demand. Now, they’re overwhelmed with requests they can’t meet.”
Gillen emphasized the risks of Mitchell’s reliance on a single water source — Bon Homme-Yankton Rural Water — since shutting down its own treatment plant over 20 years ago.
“This pipeline gives them a second, redundant source, which is essential if something goes wrong — outages, breaks, anything,” he said.
He also pointed to the challenges farmers face with aging wells, noting that replacement costs can reach $100,000.
“With this project, they can connect to a reliable system for around $3,000 — if water is available,” he said. “That’s life-changing.”
He also pointed to long-range planning like the Dakota Mainstem project, which forecasts statewide water demand through 2070. That study projects South Dakota may need up to 185 million gallons of water per day by then — a dramatic increase that makes forward-looking investments urgent.
Without planning ahead, Gillen warned, future generations may view today’s leaders as having failed to act when it mattered.
“Water is everything,” he said. “It’s life-sustaining, and we tend to take it for granted. Projects like this are serious business. They ensure reliable, quality water not just for today, but for the future.”