Survey Workers Are With Avista

The out-of-state cars roaming the Moran Prairie area with Avista signs are not mislabeled.

The Spokane utility has hired a San Antonio, Texas, contractor to survey its electrical distribution system over the next two years.

Analytical Surveys Inc. started the work in the Manito area last fall, said Avista spokeswoman Deanna Hildenbrand.

She said the crew is mapping every pole, transformer, wire and meter. That information will enable Avista’s call center to more quickly identify the scope of an outage and dispatch repair crews, she said.

When a call comes in now, Hildenbrand said, “We don’t necessarily know, right away, how many people might be on with that customer.”

She said the workers are wearing Avista clothing and carry letters explaining their assignments in case they are challenged.