An aggressive, ongoing inspection/maintenance program helps Ameren Missouri identify, repair, and/or replace poles and other overhead and underground equipment before potential failures occur. This ongoing foot patrol inspection program cycles every two years through urban areas and every three years through rural areas in the Ameren Missouri region. This also includes the visual inspections our tree trimmers provide.
  
Ameren Missouri’s efforts include a comprehensive inspection of all our distribution line poles, hardware, and equipment both overhead and underground. Older poles that continue to meet strength requirements receive treatment with a fumigant to extend their lifespan. Poles that fail to meet strength requirements are being replaced or reinforced, as appropriate.
 
Between 2007 and 2009, Ameren Missouri visually inspected more than 12,000 miles of overhead line and physically strength-tested more than 180,000 poles.
     
This inspection/maintenance work is aided by new technology that enables us to check the integrity of our lines throughout our distribution system.