After more than three years since a gas explosion ravaged the small community’s downtown, Chatham-Kent officially has ended Wheatley’s emergency order.
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A special signing ceremony took place in council chambers Thursday, with the municipality’s mayor, ward councilors and staff in attendance.
“It’s been a very emotional time for everyone,” Chatham-Kent fire Chief Chris Case said afterwards. “We can’t ignore the fact that the community’s been resilient, they’ve been passionate … but above all, it’s very humbling watching the way that, even with everything going on in their lives, they still supported all the efforts.”
In late September, the municipality announced a wooden-cased petroleum well was found underneath the cement floor at the site of 17 Talbot St. E.
Last week, officials said no hydrogen sulphide gas was detected, just small amounts of methane.
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Following the discovery, drilling, casing and cementing of the abandoned well, the monitoring well had entirely stopped venting gas.
After the monitoring well was set up in 2021, it had continuously emitted hydrogen sulphide and methane until the newly discovered well was re-entered, officials said.
Since then, no gas signatures have been detected on the monitoring well or previously abandoned water wells on the site, suggesting the issue may have been resolved.
“We’re still going to wait for six months and monitor the situation, to make sure that it is stable, before we absolutely finish things off,” Case said.
He admitted it was “an emotional moment” when he received the call the gas had stopped.
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On July 19, 2021, an emergency was declared in Wheatley following the detection of hydrogen sulfide gas. On Aug. 26, an explosion occurred at 15 Erie St. N. and expanded the emergency evacuation zone.
“In the end, the only thing that brings something like this to a resolution is when people work together,” Case said.
The chief added there were lessons learned, should there be a similar situation.
“The engineering studies are very much looking at how to predict this in the future,” he said, adding multiple organizations and the province have been involved.
Case stressed that while the public shouldn’t be alarmed about gas wells, they should be aware, and always report any smell of gas to the authorities.
“I’m hoping we never see this again, but to say this would never happen again would be foolhardy,” he said. “We have to be vigilant…Especially when you look at the complexity of this situation.”
West Kent councilors Lauren Anderson and Melissa Harrigan credited everyone involved for their ongoing support.
“It’s a very big day for Wheatley and for Chatham-Kent,” Anderson said. “This was definitely a group effort.”
Harrigan thanked residents for “their patience, for their passion,” and willingness to share and work with those looking to find a solution.
Mayor Darrin Canniff echoed similar sentiments.
“This is the best signature I think I’ve ever made, right here,” he said. “We can now look forward to a much brighter future.”
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