Underground survey launched at Wheatley blast site

WHEATLEY – Work crews were on site Tuesday to conduct a geophysical survey of the area surrounding the August 26 explosion site.

Chatham-Kent General Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure Services Thomas Kelly said the survey will employ ground penetration radar and electromagnetic technology to map the subsurface and provide detailed information on soil features, non-metallic objects and the exact location of any abandoned steel cased wells.

As well, gas monitoring has been deployed throughout the site.

“The goal of this work is to determine the precise source of the gas emission,” Kelly said. “Once this information is known, next steps will be to determine the appropriate remediation strategy.”

Kelly said the work could take two weeks but that timetable could vary depending on what is found as the project proceeds.

Wheatley residents and businesses affected by the August 26 explosion are being urged to contact the municipality with concerns and questions as soon as possible.

Mayor Darrin Canniff said since the needs of each individual vary, it is important that everyone affected get in touch with the municipality if they want to be included in aid efforts.

The municipality is urging all residents who believe they have insurance related issues to contact their insurer as soon as possible.

“Our director of legal services has prepared a letter confirming the evacuation for anyone considering filing a claim,” Shropshire said.

Copies are available online or at the Wheatley Resource Centre at 108 Talbot Street.

Residents who have not been contacted for housing, food or other support should call 519-351-8573 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and ask to speak with a Wheatley Crisis Case Manager.

Businesses that have not been contacted should call Stuart McFadden, Director of Economic Development, at 519-784-3502.

Municipal officials met with members of the Wheatley Business Improvement Association Wednesday night to provide initial information on $2-million in initial funding for business recovery announced by the provincial government Saturday, Sept. 25.

“We don’t have all of the answers to how the funds will be accessed yet but we wanted to meet with business owners and operators and get their feedback,” Shropshire said.

During that meeting it was announced that residential and business customers within the Wheatley evacuation zone are not being charged fees by Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission and Entegrus.

Customers will receive bills up to the date that their utilities were shut off. Customers with questions can visit www.entegrus.com or contact Entegrus customer service Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 1-866-804-7325 (Option 2 for Customer Service). It is recommended to have a recent bill available for the call.

As work continues on finding the source of the gas, Shropshire said there is no timetable for residents to return to their homes to check on their homes and to retrieve items.

“The issue of safety remains our first priority,” he said.