Work to close off the source of recent gas leaks in downtown Wheatley could begin by the end of the month.
Ryan Brown, Chatham-Kent’s director of Public Works, provided a verbal update to council on Monday regarding the ongoing work to monitor and resolve gas emissions detected at 35 Talbot St. W, behind the Wheatley branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
Since the initial hydrogen sulfide gas leak on June 26, Brown said there have been six calls for service at the site. As a result, gas tests are being conducted on the monitoring well, along with gas migration tests around the library property. An air monitoring system and a temporary vent stack to capture any gas have also been installed on the property.
“Right now, we are trying to finalize operational emergency plans. The first step is that we need to excavate the site and confirm what we are working with,” said Brown. “We believe it is a water well, but we need to confirm that. We are working to get a contractor on site by the end of the month.”
Brown explained that safety is the priority, and the group is committed to working with residents in Wheatley.
“Once these operational plans for us to come on site, excavate, prepare to hopefully plug this well again, we will be communicating that to the community,” said Brown.
Once operational plans have been finalized, Brown said a public meeting will be scheduled to give residents the chance to ask the municipality and its experts any questions they may have.
Brown explained that while the costs associated with the work are currently unknown, the municipality will continue working with upper levels of government to offset the financial impact.
For regular Wheatley updates, residents are encouraged to visit the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent Wheatley Updates page by clicking here.
Wheatley residents are reminded to call 911 immediately if they smell gas.
