Several residents and business owners who were displaced by the gas leak explosion in Wheatley this past summer will soon be able to return to their properties.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said over 40 calls have been made to set up appointments to allow access to properties in the evacuation zone.
According to Thomas Kelly, CK’s general manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, firefighters and Building Development Services will enter each site before the owners to ensure the property is safe. Entegrus will also attend the site to supply electricity to these units. As well, three stationary gas monitors are being installed in the area to enhance safety while members of the public are present.
Residents and business owners at six properties will be allowed to enter the site on Wednesday and an additional six entries are scheduled for Thursday.
The municipality added that an investigation into the cause of the August 26 explosion is still ongoing. Staff are working to identify the pathway mapping for the methane and hydrogen sulphide gas.
An abandoned gas well was discovered last month next to the site of the explosion, however, the municipality has been unable to confirm if it is the source of repeated leaks in the town.
The municipality has incurred an estimated $2.5 million in expenses for emergency response and community assistance following the explosion.
