Wood Utility Pole Inspections
Throughout November 2026, RPU is partnering with OSMOSE to inspect, test and, when necessary, treat wood utility poles throughout its service area.
Each year, RPU inspects a portion of its wood utility poles to help maintain their structural integrity, extend their lifespan and ensure the continued reliability of the electric system. Because scheduled inspections did not take place in 2025, approximately 20% of RPU’s wood utility poles are scheduled for inspection this year.
What Customers Can Expect
Contractors will be working along roadways and on private property where utility poles are located. During inspections, crews may perform several activities, including:
- Visually inspecting poles for signs of damage or deterioration.
- Drilling into poles to assess their internal condition.
- Excavating around the base of poles to inspect below ground level.
- Applying treatments, when necessary, to help prevent decay and extend pole life.
Additional Electric System Maintenance
In addition to annual pole inspections, RPU crews continue to perform maintenance and improvements to strengthen the reliability and safety of the electric system.
Recently, RPU crews completed a two-week planned outage on the hydroelectric line to replace 15 utility poles. Technical Services and line crews also completed improvements at the hydroelectric substation on 18th Avenue NW, raising structural arms and a breaker to meet compliance requirements.
These efforts are part of RPU’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, reliable electric service for the Rochester community.