Webinar: Installation of PVC Water and Sewer Piping Systems
Ideal for Water and Sewer Utility Engineers, Contractors, Inspectors, Engineering Consultants and Developers

This training webinar by PVC Pipe Association (PVCPA) staff will provide the most up-to-date information available on installation practices for gasketed PVC water and sewer pipes and fittings as well as answer frequently asked questions. Properly installed pipelines ensure best performance and maximum design life for underground infrastructure.

FREE Contractor's Guide for All Participants

The reference book for this educational seminar is the new Contractor's Guide, which is the most concise, authoritative publication available for the installation of gasketed-joint PVC pipes and fittings. Webinar registrants will be mailed a FREE copy. Written and sponsored by PVCPA, the guide comes complete with practical tables and figures that helps users to be more effective and efficient at installing PVC piping systems, reducing potential pipeline problems and helping to ensure optimum system performance. It can also serve as a reference document prior to undertaking a pipeline project.

Recommended for Local Underground Pipeline Installation Contractors

It is highly recommended that local water and sewer pipe installation contractors participate in this training seminar. Utilities are encouraged to forward this email to their local underground pipeline contractors and have them register. The Contractor’s Guide is also useful to utility crews involved in installation or maintenance of PVC water or sewer systems. The easy-to-use, "reversible book" format provides two valuable guides in one and assists readers to quickly access the information they are seeking.

The 60-minute webinar will cover the following topics:

• Manufacturing and plant testing of PVC pipe

• Handling and storage

• Proper joint assembly

• Alignment deflection options

• Joint restraint options

• Fittings for PVC pipe

• Tapping of PVC pipe

• Post-installation testing

• Special installation considerations

To view the background information, please click on the following links:

• Handbook of PVC Pipe Design and Construction

• Contractor's Guide for Installation of Gasketed PVC Water/Sewer Pipe

• Changing Direction: Axial Joint Deflection Explained

• Joint Restraint Options for PVC Pipe

• PVC Pipe Field Testing - Maximum Test Pressure

• Backfill Requirements for PVC Pressure and Gravity Pipes

• Installation of PVC Pipe into a Mechanical Joint (MJ)

• Transitioning Between Ductile Iron and PVC Pressure Pipes

• Guide: Field Cutting of PVC Pipes

• Design and Installation Guide for PVC Fittings & Laterals for Solid-Wall PVC Sewer Pipe

• PVC Pressure Pipe Tapping Guide

• Installation Guide for Gasketed-Joint PVC Pressure Pipe

• Installation Guide for Solid-Wall PVC Sewer Pipe

• Sample Specifications for Water and Sewer Pipe

Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Central Standard Time
PDHs: 1.0
Price: $149.00

Group pricing is available for teams of 10 or more. Please reach out to info@unibell.org for more information.

Webinar: Considerations for Pipe Material Selection: PVC vs. Ductile Iron (DI) Pipe
Ideal for Water Utilities, Engineering, Consultants, Contractors and Government Agencies

Today's marketplace offers North American utilities a wide variety of piping to choose from. Pipe materials can differ significantly in performance capabilities and in the applications for which they are suitable. As a result, making direct comparisons between pipe materials can be challenging for utilities. This webinar will compare PVC and ductile iron (DI) pressure pipe with respect to their properties, design methodologies, installation requirements, and long-term performance in various applications. The information will help utilities that use both piping materials to make better informed decisions for their projects.

This one-hour webinar covers the following topics:

• History and background of PVC and DI pipe

• Hydraulics of PVC and DI pipe

• Design considerations for PVC and DI pipe

• Installation requirements for PVC and DI pipe

• Pipe material longevity and performance

To view the background information for this webinar, please review the following links:

• PVC vs. Ductile Iron (DI) Pressure Pipe for Water Mains

• PVC vs. DI Pressure Pipe: Occasional Surge

• Hydraulic Analysis: Pumping Costs for PVC and Ductile Iron Pipe

• Ductile Iron Pipe’s Hazen-Williams Flow Coefficient Declines Over Time

• Iron Pipe Corrosion – Lessons Learned

• Iron Pipe Wall Thickness – Thinner and Thinner

• Pipe Stiffness Explained: PVC and Ductile Iron

• Surge Pressure Capacity: When “Strength” Becomes a Liability

• Life Cycle Assessment of PVC Water and Sewer Pipe and Comparative Sustainability Analysis of Pipe Materials

• Water Main Break Rates In the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study

• PVC Pipe Longevity Report: A Comprehensive Study on PVC Pipe Excavations and Testing

Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Central Standard Time
PDHs: 1.0
Price: $149.00

Webinar: The Health, Safety, and Environmental Performance of PVC Pipe
Ideal for Water Utility Engineers, Engineering Consultants, Senior Municipal Staff, and Elected Officials

Water utility engineers and other industry professionals with an interest in the safety and sustainability of drinking water piping are invited to participate in an information session featuring a panel of independent experts who will provide the latest science on the health, safety, and environmental attributes of PVC pipe. Topics include:

Background

For more than 70 years, PVC pipe’s raw materials, production, and use have been evaluated and approved by governmental and accredited third-party testing and certification agencies, confirming that PVC is a safe material for the delivery of potable water. All ingredients in PVC pipe are publicly listed and approved for use in drinking water systems. Additionally, more than 10 million water-quality tests conducted on water transported through PVC pipes have confirmed its safety, with “non-detect” levels of VCM consistently reported by NSF and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The PVC pipe industry has published a comprehensive, third-party LCA and two EPDs under the stringent guidelines of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14025 and 14040 standards. Compared to alternatives like ductile iron piping, the studies show that PVC has by far the lowest health and environmental impacts, including the smallest carbon footprint. Certified by NSF, the EPDs also confirm that PVC pipes do not release any harmful chemicals into water systems and pose no toxicity risks during use. This rigorous certification underscores the industry’s dedication to both environmental responsibility and public health.

Presenters

Tad Radzinski, PE, SEP, LEED AP, SFP is President and Co-Founder of Sustainable Solutions Corporation and has nearly 40 years of diversified experience providing sustainable manufacturing, building and operations, training, and education services. He has conducted LCAs and developed EPDs for companies across a wide range of industries.

Ronald Brecher, PhD, DABT, C.Chem. has practiced toxicology for more than 35 years, focusing on risk assessment related to human exposure to chemicals in the environment, food, and products. Ron consults for health departments and other agencies for all levels of government in Canada as well as clients throughout North America. He has led multi-stakeholder groups in evaluating scientific information to support regulatory decisions related to toxicological risks and impacts.

Jeremy Brown is Regulatory Affairs Manager, Water Program at NSF and educates regulators on third-party certification and NSF standards pertaining to plumbing, pool and recreational water, drinking water treatment, and wastewater products. Jeremy has served multiple roles at NSF including Business Manager, Technical Manager for Drinking Water Systems and Plastics/Plumbing Groups. He is a member of the Uniform Plumbing Code Technical Committee, AWWA main standards committee, and the Canadian Advisory Council on Plumbing.

Information and links:

• The Health, Safety, and Environmental Performance of PVC Pipe

• Environmental Product Declaration for PVC Water and Sewer Pipe

• Life Cycle Assessment of PVC Water and Sewer Pipe and Comparative Sustainability Analysis of Pipe Materials

• Water Main Break Rates In the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study

• Evaluating Life Cycle Assessments for Underground Infrastructure

• Hydraulic Analysis: Pumping Costs for PVC and Ductile Iron Pipe

• Assessing the Transparency & Reliability of Environmental Product Declarations for Underground Piping

• Leaching of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM): Not an Issue for PVC Pipe

• Organotin (Tin) Stabilizers: Not a Health Concern for PVC Pipe

• NSF Health Effects Monitoring of PVC Pipe and Fittings

• PFAS Substances: Not A Concern for PVC Pipe

• PVC Pipe: High Quality and Performance Standards

• PVC Water Mains: Not a Source of Benzene from Wildfire Events

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Central Standard Time
PDHs: Not applicable
Price: FREE

1. Introduction

2. Direct tapping

3. Saddle tapping

4. Sleeve tapping

To view the background information for this webinar, please review the following documents:

• PVC Pressure Pipe Tapping Guide

• Saddle Tapping Basics

• Handbook of PVC Pipe Design and Construction

• Contractor's Guide for Installation of Gasketed PVC Water/Sewer Pipe

Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time
PDHs: 0.5
Price: $99.00

Webinar: Large-Diameter PVC Gravity Sewer Pipelines – Benefits and Design Considerations
Ideal for Sewer Utility Engineers, Pipeline Managers, and Engineering Consultants

A presentation by PVC Pipe Association staff on the benefits and design considerations for large-diameter PVC sewer pipe. PVC gravity piping has been the material of choice for North American sewer utilities since the 1970s and concise technical information is available to support its growing acceptance and use in larger sizes. Cities across the U.S. and Canada are increasingly using PVC pipe for large interceptor sewer projects and several case studies will be discussed.

This webinar is useful for designers and managers of large-diameter gravity sewer pipelines. Numerous aspects of PVC sewer pipe design will be covered, including flexible pipe design for deep bury applications, hydraulic analysis, comparison with other pipe materials, as well as the benefits of PVC's material properties. Participants will learn how PVC pipe's strength, proven durability, and performance provides more than 100 years of service life. Additionally, the importance of proper bedding and backfill will be covered. The information will be useful for upcoming projects in municipalities that have previously used PVC and in utilities considering PVC sewer pipe for the first time.

Design information to supplement this webinar is available in the Handbook of PVC Pipe Design and Construction, 5th Edition. Click here for information on how to download chapters 6 and 7 of the Handbook for FREE.

This one-hour webinar covers the following topics:

• Standards and testing

• Longevity

• Material properties

• Hydraulic design

• Pipe stiffness selection and deflection evaluation

• Proper bedding and backfill

• Design example

• Case studies

Background information and links:

• Gravity Sewer Pipe Standards

• Handbook of PVC Pipe Design and Construction, 5th Edition

• PVC Pipe Longevity Report: A Comprehensive Study on PVC Pipe Excavations and Testing

• Deflection: The Pipe/Soil Mechanism

• External Load Design Calculator

• Manning's "n" for PVC Gravity Sewer Pipe

• PVC Pipe Excels in Deep Bury Applications

• Contractor's Guide for Installation of Gasketed PVC Pipe for Water/Sewer Pipe

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Central Standard Time
PDHs: 1.0
Price: $149.00