Work scheduled for Davidson, Regina, Strasbourg and Moosomin areas

It takes a lot of work to keep SaskPower's over 1.2 million power poles (that's more poles than there are people in Saskatchewan) in good order, particularly with the extreme weather conditions the province faces each year.

To keep customers and employees safe and help provide the reliable power customers need, SaskPower has begun the annual inspection and maintenance on wood power poles in several areas of the province. This helps extend the life and maintain reliability, while curbing replacement costs.

Work crews plan to inspect over 104,000 wooden power poles in the Davidson, Regina (city south and northeast, and surrounding rural areas), Strasbourg and Moosomin areas for decay, carpenter ant infestation, lightning and mechanical damage, from now until fall, weather permitting. Where possible, work crews will also perform maintenance to extend the life span of poles.

Wood pole maintenance costs approximately $50 per pole on average, while replacement costs are about $2,500 per pole. Without maintenance, the life expectancy of a wood power pole may be as short as 25 to 35 years. Through SaskPower's maintenance program, that life expectancy can extend to more than 65 years.

Crews will stay within the SaskPower right-of-way as much as possible; however, workers may occasionally need access to private property. Property owners will be notified and all workers will wear high-visibility clothing and carry contractor identification.

For more information call SaskPower at 1-888-757-6937 or visit www.saskpower.com/woodpoles. #PowerToGrow

At a glance...

• Over 104,000 of SaskPower's 1.2 million wood power poles will be inspected this year.
• Crews will be in Davidson, Regina, Strasbourg and Moosomin areas from now until fall.
• Visit www.saskpower.com/woodpoles for more information.