There’s some good news and bad news in the latest update on the Wheatley gas investigation.
Municipal CAO Don Shropshire says the good news is the confirmation of an abandoned gas well adjacent to the site of the August 26th explosion, but that doesn’t guarantee it’s the source of repeated leaks in the town.
“They’ve identified a well on the property, it was always in the records and we anticipated it was going to be found, but they’ve actually found it,” Shropshire says. “there’s been gas sampling done and we’re waiting for results. Those will be compared to the samples taken from the initial gas that was released at the 15 Erie Street North site, and the technical advisory team will be able to confirm whether or not that was the same source.”
Shropshire says the work doesn’t end there.
“There’s no reason to suspect that there couldn’t be additional sources as well, so they’re going to complete the investigation but that’s a significant move forward, to confirm it rather than just relying on the records.”
In the meantime, several individuals displaced by the blast have asked for permission to enter their homes or businesses and those requests are being considered by the fire chief. The municipality’s Chief Building Official and his staff are on site this week to determine if buildings are safe to enter.
Case management services remains available to those affected by the explosion. Offices in the reception centre are open from 10-2 Monday to Friday.
The centre is located at 108 Talbot Road East and can be reached by phone at 226-484-1004 or by email at info@villageresourcecentre.ca.
