Wood Pole Testing

What & Why

The PUD’s Wood Pole Test Program inspects approximately 10 percent of the PUD’s poles each year, with the goal to inspect each pole on a 10-year cycle. This program extends the life expectancy of PUD wood poles and helps maintain reliable electrical service. A Chelan County PUD contractor will be performing routine maintenance by testing some electrical wood distribution poles throughout the county this year. 

When & What to Expect

• Work will take place on the wood distribution poles in several areas throughout the county, and impacted stakeholders will receive notification. 
• The PUD contractor may need to access poles on or near your property.
• Crews will dig approximately 18 inches around each pole, drill holes into the pole, inspect the pole, and fill the dirt holes around the pole.
• The contractor will notify the PUD of any poles that are in need of replacement. Poles will be replaced, as needed, by PUD crews at a later date.
• Working hours are generally Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• We do not anticipate any impacts to traffic as part of this work. 

Power Pole Testing & Fire Prevention Work:
July - November 2024/September - November 2024

WHAT & WHY: A Chelan County PUD contractor, Alamon, is performing routine maintenance and fire prevention along transmission (high-voltage) and distribution (low-voltage) lines around the county. Each wood pole in the PUD’s electrical system is inspected on a 10-year cycle. This program helps extend the life of the poles, protects the electrical system from fires, and maintains reliable service.

WHERE:

• Work will take place along the transmission lines throughout Chelan County and on the distribution lines in central Wenatchee and west Cashmere.
• Work will take place between Easy Street in Monitor, near Hot Rod Cade, all the way to the Blue Star warehouse on Old Monitor Road on the highway just east of Cashmere. This area includes Iroquois Lane, Fairview Canyon and the first few houses on Sleepy Hollow Road.

WHEN & WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Work is scheduled to begin in central Wenatchee and west Cashmere in July, and in Monitor and east of Cashmere in September. The work is expected to continue through November.
• You may see the contractor crew working around poles on or near your property.
• Working hours are generally Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
• For pole inspection, crews will dig approximately 18 inches around each pole, drill holes into the pole, inspect the pole, then replace the dirt.
• Where fire prevention is needed, crews will dig approximately 6 inches around each pole, apply fire-retardant paint about 6 feet up each pole, then replace the dirt.
• Crews will also clear combustible materials from around the base of poles as needed.
• Where necessary, poles will be replaced by PUD crews at a later date.
  
  

Questions?