The Fusion/Electrofusion of HDPE Water Piping Systems Program, sponsored by the Municipal Advisory Board (MAB), continues to deliver significant benefits to participating communities by eliminating water loss from pipeline leaks, reducing emergency water main breaks, and advancing career opportunities for the local infrastructure workforce. The program trains utility technicians, operators, inspectors, and engineers in proper fusion and electrofusion methods for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping systems used in potable and wastewater applications. Heat fusion creates seamless, leak-free pipeline connections that prevent the joint failures common in traditional piping systems.
Since its inception in 2021, the program has graduated nearly 150 utility professionals and college students from 22 cities across the United States. According to Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., co-chair of the MAB and vice president for the Municipal & Industrial Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc, the training has grown rapidly to four sessions per year, with attendees ranging from Maine to California. The program has expanded to include college students, such as Carly Wilkerson, a construction engineering student at Purdue University (Class of 2026), who praised the hands-on approach and the importance of teamwork.
HDPE piping systems offer municipalities significant advantages over aging traditional infrastructure. The corrosion-proof material eliminates rust-related failures, and heat-fused connections 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 led by NWTC's expert instructors.
The 11th training class, held in summer 2025, included 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. Rubeiz noted the program's high quality, citing feedback from trainees who praised the hands-on training with experienced instructors and described the curriculum as informational and fun. When asked how to improve the class, trainees responded with "nothing" and "in my opinion nothing needs to change from what I experienced."
MAB and its members continue this initiative to save communities water, reduce water main breaks, add skills to the local workforce, and build resilient water systems. They provide technical information, field reports, and expertise from cities nationwide to support the design and installation of resilient HDPE water piping systems. Utility operators, inspectors, and engineers interested in the 2026 training schedule can find more information at www.plasticpipe.org/mabpubs.
