C-K has Wheatley work plan in place

CHATHAM-KENT — Municipal officials are reviewing a work plan which will establish next steps on the remediation of an ongoing gas emission situation in downtown Wheatley.

Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire said a plan has been submitted by the firm engaged by the province to lead the project.

“We have a preliminary work plan now under review,” he said. “Once that has taken place, our plan is to hold a virtual public meeting with Wheatley residents and provide information as to next steps.”

Work at APEC 2 (Area of Potential Environmental Concern) to bring the well to surface is substantially complete. The contractor is awaiting several parts to connect this well to the test separator system. That is expected to be completed this week.

The contractors completed an investigatory excavation at APEC 3 and discovered a brick well structure with a small wooden casing extending from the bottom approximately 12 feet below surface. Small amounts of methane have been detected emitting from the well structure. Work is currently ongoing to further investigate whether the structure is a water well or a gas well. A laboratory sample will be obtained for analysis.

A previously undiscovered brick well has been discovered at the north end of the municipal parking lot in Wheatley. The well is about 12 feet deep.

Last week, some members of the on-site team were placed under COVID-19 protocol. This caused minor delays to homeowner access while staffing resources were rearranged.

Shropshire said evacuated residents with questions should contact their case workers at Chatham Kent Health and Family Services, and businesses should contact Economic Development Services. Individuals with general questions are asked to call 3-1-1.

Shropshire urged the community to watch the video of a Wheatley update presentation to council at its January 17 meeting.

Shropshire thanked the more than 750 individuals who have registered for an email subscription list to keep them updated. “We’re grateful that so many people want to know the facts and keep up with the latest news. Whether you’re a resident or not of Wheatley, you are welcome to subscribe to these updates.”

No gas release has taken place since November 21, and given the interval between previous gas leak events, officials are expecting a release soon, although topographical changes and cold weather may be having an effect on the site.