The Fusion/Electrofusion of HDPE Water Piping Systems Program, sponsored by the Municipal Advisory Board (MAB), is delivering significant benefits to participating communities by eliminating water loss due to pipeline leaks and corrosion, 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 methods for fusion and electrofusion of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping systems for potable and wastewater applications.
Heat fusion creates seamless pipeline connections that produce leak-free HDPE pipelines, eliminating the joint failures that plague traditional piping systems. Since its first session in 2021, the program has graduated nearly 150 utility professionals and college students from 22 cities across the country. The training is held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is led by NWTC's expert instructors and staff.
"HDPE piping systems offer municipalities significant advantages over aging traditional infrastructure," said Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., co-chair of the MAB and vice president for PPI's Municipal & Industrial Division. "The corrosion-proof material eliminates rust-related failures, while heat-fused connections create leak-free joints that prevent loss of non-revenue water. Additionally, HDPE's flexibility allows its use for traditional open cut and trenchless installation methods, minimizing property damage and road disruption during infrastructure upgrades."
The program has expanded beyond utility professionals to include college students preparing for infrastructure careers. 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."
The 11th training class, held in summer 2025, included special guests from the City of Green Bay. Mayor Eric Genrich accepted a certificate of appreciation recognizing the city's support for workforce development programs that serve water utility professionals nationwide. Rubeiz noted that feedback from participants consistently reconfirms the program's high quality, with trainees citing "hands-on training with instructors who have 25+ years of experience" and describing the curriculum as "informational and fun at the same time."
The MAB and its members plan to continue this initiative to save communities water, reduce water main breaks, add skills to grow the local workforce, and build resilient water systems. More information about the 2026 training schedule can be found at www.plasticpipe.org/mabpubs.
