A training program for water utility professionals on the fusion and electrofusion of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping systems is yielding significant benefits for participating communities, including reduced water loss from pipeline leaks, fewer emergency water main breaks, and enhanced career opportunities for local infrastructure workers. The program, sponsored by the Municipal Advisory Board (MAB) of the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc., teaches proper methods for creating leak-free HDPE pipelines used in potable and wastewater applications.
Since its inception in 2021, the Fusion/Electrofusion of HDPE Water Piping Systems Program has graduated nearly 150 utility professionals and college students from 22 cities across the United States. The training has expanded to four sessions per year, drawing attendees from states as far apart as Maine and California. Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., co-chair of the MAB and vice president for PPI's Municipal & Industrial Division, noted the program's rapid growth and its importance in addressing aging infrastructure challenges.
HDPE piping systems offer municipalities corrosion-proof material that eliminates rust-related failures, while heat-fused connections create seamless joints that prevent loss of non-revenue water—treated water that escapes the system before reaching customers. Additionally, HDPE's flexibility allows for both traditional open cut and trenchless installation methods, minimizing property damage and road disruption during upgrades. The training is held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is led by expert instructors.
The 11th training class, held in summer 2025, included special guests from the City of Green Bay, and Mayor Eric Genrich accepted a certificate of appreciation for the city's support of workforce development programs. Carly Wilkerson, a construction engineering student at Purdue University (Class of 2026), 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."
Rubeiz emphasized the program's quality, citing participant feedback: "Trainees cite 'hands-on training with instructors who have 25+ years of experience' and note that the curriculum is 'informational and fun at the same time.'" When asked how to improve the class, trainees responded "nothing" and "in my opinion nothing needs to change from what I experienced." The MAB and its members are committed to continuing this initiative to save communities water, reduce water main breaks, and build a resilient water system. More information about the 2026 training schedule is available at www.plasticpipe.org/mabpubs.
