Wood Pole Inspection, Repair and Replacement Program
As part of our continuous effort to invest in safety and system reliability, TDPUD will once again be conducting inspections on a number of utility poles this summer. We will be using a contractor, Osmose, to accomplish this work, which will be focused mainly in Glenshire and Sierra Meadows. To conduct inspections, it may be necessary for the contractor to access poles that are located on private property or along property lines. The work is scheduled to begin July 10, and affected residents will be contacted via email. Osmose employees will be in company uniform, will be driving company trucks and will attempt to make contact with residents before entering their property.
The utility poles will be inspected for signs of wear, insect infestation or damage from motor vehicle accidents or winter storm damage, which can occur over time. This process is essential for TDPUD to maintain system reliability, enhance public safety, reduce long-term operating costs, and lessen the occurrence of unexpected power outages. As part of the process, a visual inspection is done, and the pole is checked to determine if the interior is sound. Inspectors are looking for compromised poles and performing repairs as needed. Some poles may also need to be replaced at a later date based on the results of the inspections. Poles are also photographed, and condition is documented.
Why does TDPUD inspect its utility poles?
Over time, wooden power poles can be damaged by decay, insects, motor vehicle accidents or severe storms. Inspections help determine if a pole is need of repair or replacement. Repairs can help extend the life of the pole and save the utility money, and both repairs and replacements improve the safety and reliability of the electric system. For more information on the inspection process, click here.
Where will this work be done in 2023?
This summer, pole inspections will be mostly focused in Glenshire and Sierra Meadows, as well as portions of East and West River Streets.
How will this affect residents in those neighborhoods?
In some instances, inspectors will need to access private property to reach the utility pole. Affected customers will receive an email alerting them that inspectors will be doing work in their area, and may need to access their property. Inspectors will attempt to make contact with the resident before accessing the property by knocking on the door. If the resident is not available the work will be completed and a door hanger will be left on the front door to let the resident know the inspectors were there that day, along with a number to call if they have any follow up questions.
Each pole takes anywhere from 5-20 minutes to inspect, and may cause some brief noise. Your home will not be de-energized to complete this work.
How long will this work be ongoing?
Work is slated to begin on Monday, July 10, and is estimate to take 5-8 weeks to complete.
How often does TDPUD inspect its utility poles?
TDPUD hires a contractor to inspect poles on a 10-year cycle. Inspections can only be performed during the summer while there is no snow that would block access to poles. Since all pole inspections cannot be performed in a single summer season, TDPUD contractors perform this work over a 2-3 year period, focusing on a new area of town each year.
Are the materials used to inspect and repair utility poles hazardous?
No, TDPUD’s contractor, Osmose, uses environmentally-responsible products to inspect, repair and reinforce utility poles. Inspectors may use EPA-approved wood preservatives that will be contained inside the pole. They will utilize plastic type plugs to seal any borings that are created.
In an independent field study and risk assessment of remedial pole treatment, researchers found that Osmose’s remedial preservative treatments do not present any significant ecological or human health risk when properly applied to in-service wood utility poles. To learn more about the study, click the button below. For more information about the specific materials Osmose uses, you can view their brochure below.
For more information about the specific materials Osmose uses, you can view their brochure here.What does TDPUD do if poles are beyond repair?
If inspectors determine that a pole is beyond repair, TDPUD crews will replace it with a new one.
What are some of the benefits of this work?
- System Reliability: repairing and replacing wooden power poles strengthens our electric infrastructure, and lessens the likelihood of unexpected power outages due to equipment failure.
- Safety: removing or repairing aging power poles mitigates against safety issues that could be caused if a weak pole fails.
- Saves Trees: extending pole life promotes the efficient use of trees and reduces the potential waste of this important resource.
- Improves Air Quality: avoiding the unnecessary harvest of two million trees each year means those trees are still in our forests producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.
- Reduces Petroleum Use: reducing the need for new poles also reduces the need for chemicals and petroleum carriers used in their manufacture.
- Saves Money: when poles are repaired instead of being replaced, it saves money for the District while still improving the safety and reliability of the system.