The Fusion/Electrofusion of HDPE Water Piping Systems Program continues to deliver measurable benefits to municipalities across the United States, addressing critical water infrastructure challenges while developing skilled local workforces. Sponsored by the Municipal Advisory Board (MAB), an independent adviser to the Municipal & Industrial Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc., the program has graduated nearly 150 utility professionals and college students from 22 cities since its inception in 2021.
Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., co-chair of the MAB and vice president for PPI's Municipal & Industrial Division, noted the program's rapid expansion. "Our first training session was in 2021, and has grown in a very short time to where we have attendees ranging from Maine to California, and have increased the number of sessions to four a year." The training teaches utility technicians, operators, inspectors, and engineers proper methods for fusion and electrofusion of high-density polyethylene piping systems for potable and wastewater applications.
The program's impact extends beyond technical skill development to address significant municipal challenges. Heat fusion creates seamless pipeline connections that produce leak-free HDPE pipelines, eliminating joint failures common in traditional piping systems. This directly reduces non-revenue water loss—treated water that escapes the system before reaching customers—while minimizing emergency water main breaks. "HDPE piping systems offer municipalities significant advantages over aging traditional infrastructure," Rubeiz explained. "The corrosion-proof material eliminates rust-related failures, while heat-fused connections create leak-free joints."
HDPE's flexibility allows for both traditional open cut and trenchless installation methods, reducing property damage and road disruption during infrastructure upgrades. The training program, held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has expanded to include college students preparing for infrastructure careers. Carly Wilkerson, a construction engineering student at Purdue University, praised the hands-on approach: "The best way to learn was through hands-on experiences. The team aspect of the training was extremely vital in our continuous improvement throughout the process."
During the summer 2025 session, the 11th training class welcomed special guests from the City of Green Bay, with Mayor Eric Genrich accepting a certificate of appreciation for the city's support of workforce development programs serving water utility professionals nationwide. Participant feedback consistently highlights the program's quality, with trainees citing "hands-on training with instructors who have 25+ years of experience" and noting the curriculum is "informational and fun at the same time."
The program represents a strategic investment in national water infrastructure resilience. By training local workforces in advanced piping techniques, communities gain the capacity to maintain and upgrade their water systems more effectively. Utility operators, inspectors, and engineers interested in the 2026 training schedule can find additional information at https://www.plasticpipe.org/mabpubs. MAB and its members continue this initiative to save communities water, reduce water breaks, add skills to grow local workforces, and build resilient water systems through technical information, field reports, and expertise from cities across the country.
