Pole Inspections
Poles are a critical part of the PUD’s electrical system and undergo regular inspections. Over time, weather, age, and insects can weaken them, increasing the risk of outages or safety hazards. Routine inspections help us spot issues early so we can repair or replace poles before they fail—preventing outages and keeping customers safe.
The map below shows areas scheduled for inspection:
Meet the pole inspection teams
CAMANO ISLAND
(Scheduled for Oct. 2025-January 2026)
GRANITE FALLS
(Scheduled for August 2025-February 2026)
FAQs
What happens during a pole inspection?
Crews check the pole’s condition above and below ground, looking for signs of decay or damage. They may take measurements or samples to ensure the pole meets safety standards. Of the utility’s 112,000 poles, in an average year 25,000 are inspected and 500 are replaced.
What if damage is found?
If a pole shows wear, it may be treated with preservatives or reinforced with steel or composite supports. If the pole is too damaged, it will be replaced. Many poles can be safely extended with treatments or reinforcements, which saves time and cost while maintaining reliability. Replacement is only done when necessary.
Why not use only metal poles?
In some cases steel, concrete, or composite poles make sense to use, however, these options have significantly higher upfront costs and unique maintenance challenges over wooden poles. Wooden poles, when regularly inspected and treated, can easily last three decades and beyond.
Do pole inspections affect service?
Most inspections and treatments happen without interrupting power. If a pole needs replacement, we schedule work to minimize any outage.
Questions about the pole inspection process?
Please call the PUD at 1-425-783-XXXX. (We could also use a form here that could go to any specified email address)