The Fusion/Electrofusion of HDPE Water Piping Systems Program, sponsored by the Municipal Advisory Board (MAB), continues to deliver significant benefits to participating communities, including eliminating water loss from 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 and eliminate 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 country. According to Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., co-chair of the MAB and vice president for the Plastics Pipe Institute's Municipal & Industrial Division, the program has expanded rapidly, now offering four sessions per year with attendees from Maine to California. The training is held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and led by NWTC's expert instructors.
The program has also attracted 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."
"HDPE piping systems offer municipalities significant advantages over aging traditional infrastructure," Rubeiz continued. "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 for traditional open cut and trenchless installation methods, minimizing property damage and road disruption during infrastructure upgrades."
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 serving water utility professionals nationwide. Trainees consistently praise the program's high quality, citing "hands-on training with instructors who have 25+ years of experience" and a curriculum that is "informational and fun." When asked how to improve the class, participants said "nothing" and "in my opinion nothing needs to change."
MAB and its members are committed to continuing this initiative to save communities water, reduce water main breaks, add skills to the local workforce, and build resilient water systems. The program provides technical information, field reports, and expertise from cities across the country to help design and install resilient and sustainable HDPE water piping systems. Utility operators, inspectors, and engineers interested in the 2026 training schedule can find additional information at www.plasticpipe.org/mabpubs.
