1. CASE STUDY
Western Power Distribution
Pole Storage Creosote Pollution &
ISO14001/EA Compliance Challenges
ase study

2. Case Study: Western Power Distribution / Pole Storage Creosote Pollution & ISO14001/EA Compliance Challenges 1
The Western Power Distribution (WPD) Wapley site had an imminent ISO 14001
audit. The facility had no containment provision around the pole storage area and
some contamination was occurring from creosote leaching out of the poles and into
the environment. This would lead to a non‐compliance during the annual ISO14001
audit and failure to adhere to Environment Agency regulations, specifically PPG5.
The Depot and Environmental Managers needed to identify a quick, effective and
permanent solution to be installed and commissioned prior to the site audit.
CONTENTS
Background
Solution
Environmental Compliance
Health and Safety Risk Liability Decreased
Reduced Project & Operational Costs
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3
5
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3. Case Study: Western Power Distribution / Pole Storage Creosote Pollution & ISO14001/EA Compliance Challenges 2
Background
Western Power Distribution utilise high volumes of creosote impregnated distribution
poles during its day‐to‐day operations. Distribution poles are installed during planned
capital works programs, repair and maintenance, and emergency works. The high
volume of planned and reactive installations means that WPD need to store creosote
impregnated timber distribution poles at strategic geographical locations across
its network.
A positive environmental impact is a paramount concern and focus for any WPD facility, and this directly
influenced a review and upgrade of the environmental protection systems to prevent pollutants entering the
ground at Wapley (Bristol) sub‐station ‐ home to a distribution pole bulk storage site.
The facility had no containment provision around the pole storage area and some contamination was
occurring from creosote leaching out of the poles and into the environment. This would lead to a non‐
compliance during the annual ISO14001 audit and failure to adhere to Environment Agency regulations,
specifically PPG5. The EA has the power to apply financial penalties for non‐compliance and/or pollution of
the environment up to a £50k maximum.
Utility pole storage with no environment protection.
The Western Power Distribution
Wapley site had an imminent ISO
14001 audit, so the Depot and
Environmental Managers needed
to identify a quick, effective and
permanent solution to be installed
and commissioned. Capture Green
was engaged by WPD to undertake
an evaluation, then propose and
recommend a resolution that could
be implemented and delivered in an
extremely cost efficient way.
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Full site survey and written proposal development completed within 1​4​days.
Construction start date within 1​3 ​days of WPD’s proposal acceptance.
No significant or timely groundwork preparation.
No or only a small amount of concrete construction formations.
A permanent solution to creosote pollution at a significant lower CAPEX to comparable concrete containment.
Easy access for inspection and service.
Low frequency of preventative maintenance interventions.
Full polluted water remediation to meet with the EA’s excepted discharge levels.
A solution which assimilates with the surrounding area.
Complete project delivered and commissioned within 3 weeks.
The stakeholders outlined the following criteria which Capture Green needed to address:

4. Case Study: Western Power Distribution / Pole Storage Creosote Pollution & ISO14001/EA Compliance Challenges 3
Solution
A secondary containment and water remediation system for the safe compliant
storage of creosote impregnated timber utility poles.
Capture Green has worked closely with WPD to design a pole storage system that
ensures it meets its corporate, social and regulatory responsibilities by preventing
creosote contaminants from entering the environment. The system has also been
designed to work to the specific requirements of the site.
Secondary containment and water remediation system for the safe compliant storage of creosote impregnated timber utility poles.
The secondary containment installation comprises of two 135m2 (9x15m) storage bays that join end‐
to‐end. Both bays are hydraulically linked. The containment areas have been formed with a selection of
resilient impermeable and puncture‐resistant membrane materials, on an area of stabilised land capable of
withstanding the loads subjected by a quantity of stored distribution poles.
Situated at the centre of the two bays, buried beneath the final level of pea shingle reinstatement, is a
water retention area, also known as a sustainable (urban) drainage system (SUDS). This is essentially a
void created below the ground that enables large volumes of water to be stored before processing or
natural ground percolation occurs. Capture Green Ltd integrate this feature to alleviate the burden on the
remediation system during heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The retention area slows the drainage process
down, ensuring the remedial chamber has time to process contaminated surface water.
A stillage is formed in each bay to prevent excessive movement of stored poles. The stillage comprises of
driven vertical timber posts that are held in place with structural concrete. Timber laterals are bolted between
the uprights and these form bearers that the stored poles sit on top of. The laterals timbers not only spread
content weight but also keep the load off the ground. This brings a number of benefits in areas like water
flow, logistics, and protecting the liner by lifting the load off the bed of the site. HDPE top hat sleeves are
formed around timber uprights and fused to the lined base to seal the joint between the two components.

5. Case Study: Western Power Distribution / Pole Storage Creosote Pollution & ISO14001/EA Compliance Challenges 4
Each bay has been designed to hold around 80 poles. Together, the two bays enable approximately 160
poles to be safely stored at the site.
During the design phase, it was decided that a third bay may be required at a later date. With this in mind,
Capture Green designed the water remediation system with enough capacity that a third bay could be easily
linked to it at a later date.
The Capture Green Water Remediation Chamber houses a number of water processing devices that remove
compounds typically found in water arising from pole storage sites. This includes hydrocarbons (used for
diluting the creosote down), sediment and debris (often contaminated), phenols and cresols.
There is a common misconception that traditional oil water separation systems can be installed to carry
out the task of removing creosote from water. This is not the case – and inevitably results (carcinogenic)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAH’s migrating into the environment. Water solubility increases as
compounds start to breakdown (emulsify), particularly during warmer months. Compounds less dense
than water that would typically be separated in a conventional system can be carried through the discharge
point as they adhere to heavier contaminants. To counter this, Capture Green have design a remediation
system specifically for creosote, utilising a number of proprietary filtration and biological processes to remove
compounds (typically found in creosote) from surface water.
Discreet Compact Water Remediation Chamber
WPD Wapley
Capture Green Pole Storage Layout

6. Case Study: Western Power Distribution / Pole Storage Creosote Pollution & ISO14001/EA Compliance Challenges 5
Health and Safety Risk Liability Decreased
It is important to acknowledge all of the health and safety benefits associated with the installation and
utilisation of the Capture Green Pole Storage System. These are not just limited to the “day‐to‐day”
operational use.
The Pole Storage System at Wapley took 3 weeks to install. Contrastingly, a typical concrete containment
installation at a site the size of Wapley would take around 10 weeks to construct. This demonstrates a 70%
reduction in time on site and a significant reduction in the possibility of time on site associated health and
safety breaches.
Looking at ongoing health and safety benefits, the stillage installed within the containment area aids risk
management efforts by minimising pole movement during loading and unloading. Capture Green have also
designed a clear, safe working area around the stillage, reducing potential contact between plant,
poles and operatives.
Reduced Project & Operational Costs
Since Capture Green have pioneered the creosote containment and removal concept within the industry,
direct cost comparisons are a challenge. Capture Green are aware that some of its clients have built
concrete containment areas costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. Carrying out an analysis of
the particulars of the site against a hypothetical concrete containment design, we are confident that
cost savings will be in the region of 30 to 35% less CAPEX. This is a direct comparison of a concrete
containment area against a turnkey Capture Green containment and remediation solution, not accounting for
the ongoing operational costs of vacuum tankers to remove contaminated water.
Environmental Compliance
The system has been solely designed to mitigate environmental risk. It is an offence to knowingly pollute
the environment by allowing harmful compounds to enter it. The system design and installation ensures that
WPD always remain compliant and importantly meet ISO14001 requirements.
Completed Bulk Pole Storage Facility

7. 6Case Study: Western Power Distribution / Pole Storage Creosote Pollution & ISO14001/EA Compliance Challenges
Further information
+44 (0) 1206 299388Address:
Unit 3
Gattinetts
Hadleigh Road
East Bergholt
Colchester
C07 6QT contact@capturegreen.com
www.capturegreen.com
About the Author
Rees Westley is an accomplished and dynamic
project manager, helping develop pollution prevention
solutions for electrical utilities. He’s used to working
in the most challenging and deadline-driven industry
environments. His ability to instill a “can do” positive
attitude creates a motivated, cohesive team, enabling
the safe delivery of a project, on time and under
budget, with healthy profits.
Capture Green Limited is a company dedicated to providing electrical utilities with
total solutions to prevent dielectric fluid and creosote pollutants entering the
eco‐system, therefore protecting the environment.
Rees Westley
Operations Director at Capture Green Limited