MWUA Pipe Tapping Competition

MWUA Pipe Tapping Competition

2025 Pipe Tapping Competition

We are thrilled to sponsor the 2025 Pipe Tapping Competition once again! This high-energy event is a race against time where teams tap into a cement-lined, ductile iron pipe under pressure to install a corporation. Designed to be both fun and entertaining, this competition promises excitement for participants and spectators alike. Below are the official rules to ensure a level playing field for all competitors. Please note that the pipe for this year’s contest will be 8” ductile iron.

Tapping Competition Rules
Register Here
Team Requirements

  • Eligibility: Any water utility may enter.

  • Team Composition: Each team consists of 4 members: 1 coach and 3 pipe-tapping participants. Up to two alternates may be listed but cannot enter the competition area unless substituting for a team member. Substitutions must be announced to the judges before the team’s start time.

Competition Tasks

  • Tap an 8” pressurized ductile iron water pipe.

  • Install a ¾” copper pipe compression joint corporation (CPPJ).

  • Cut and install a 6-foot ¾” copper tubing.

  • Attach the other end of the ¾” service line to a ¾” compression joint ball valve.

Equipment Guidelines

  • Judges will pre-check all team equipment for compliance.

  • Tapping machine parts must be stock; altered parts are not allowed.

  • Equipment must remain unassembled until the start signal.

  • Measurements for copper tubing must use a tape measure and be within 1” ± of the specified length.

Scoring and Penalties

  • The winner is the team completing the tasks in the shortest time with the fewest leaks.

  • Each identified leak results in a 10-second penalty.

  • Improperly seated or unsecured CPPJ connections result in a 10-second penalty.

  • Borrowing tools from another team incurs a 10-second penalty.

Safety Requirements

  • Mandatory Gear:

    • Hard hats, eye protection, and gloves for all participants.

    • Safety-toed shoes.

    • No shorts allowed.

  • Penalties:

    • Accidental safety violations (e.g., removing safety gear briefly) result in a 10-second penalty.

    • Willful safety violations or gross negligence result in immediate disqualification.

Competition Rules

  • An official timekeeper will signal the start and record times.

  • Teams may lay out tools in the competition area but must keep parts separate.

  • Coaching from the sidelines is prohibited and penalized by 10 seconds if identified.

Materials and Support

  • Ductile iron pipe, copper tubing, and fittings are provided by the Maine Water Utilities Association and event sponsors.

  • Teams must supply their own tools, including tapping machines and cutters.

Awards

  • The winning team will receive a trophy and shirts. The trophy will remain with the winning team’s utility until the next competition and will be inscribed with the team’s name and members.

We look forward to an exciting and entertaining event. Good luck, and support your fellow water utilities!