Water Utility Training Program Reduces Water Loss and Expands Workforce Opportunities

The Fusion/Electrofusion of HDPE Water Piping Systems Program continues to deliver significant benefits to communities across the United States by addressing critical water infrastructure challenges while developing local workforce capabilities. 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, explained the program's rapid growth: "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 proper methods for fusion and electrofusion of high-density polyethylene piping systems for both potable and wastewater applications, creating seamless connections that eliminate leaks and joint failures common in traditional piping systems.

The program's importance extends beyond technical training to address broader community needs. "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." This refers to treated water that escapes the system before reaching customers, representing both resource waste and financial loss for utilities. The flexibility of HDPE also allows for both traditional open cut and trenchless installation methods, minimizing property damage and road disruption during infrastructure upgrades.

Held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the program has expanded to include college students preparing for infrastructure careers alongside experienced utility professionals. 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." The 11th training class during summer 2025 included special recognition for 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.

Program feedback consistently confirms its quality and effectiveness. "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,'" Rubeiz offered. When asked for improvement suggestions, participants responded with comments like "nothing" and "in my opinion nothing needs to change from what I experienced." The MAB maintains its commitment to this initiative, stating: "MAB and our members will continue this initiative to save communities water, defeat numerous water breaks, add skills to grow the local workforce and build a resilient water system."

Utility professionals seeking additional information about the 2026 training schedule can visit https://www.plasticpipe.org/mabpubs for program details and resources. The training represents a practical solution to aging water infrastructure problems while simultaneously developing the skilled workforce needed to implement modern piping systems that reduce water loss and improve system reliability across communities.