With work progressing in the Wheatley gas leak investigation, the evacuation zone in place since last August has been reduced in size.
Investigation and remediation work will continue in the new, smaller zone, officials stated during a virtual public meeting on Saturday, which also featured other logistical updates and timelines.
Theresa Watson, an Alberta-based engineer assisting the efforts, said she sympathized with the residents and impacted businesses, and that she was honored to be part of the team to help bring them home.
“It’s been determined that outside of a distance of 50 meters from any (gas) emission point, evacuation is no longer required,” she said.
“It is because of the installation of the monitoring well, the gathering and venting system — which are monitored 24 hours a day — that we are now confident that the evacuation zone can be reduced and the hard work of recovery can start.”
Given there are seven potential emission points, the evacuation zone has an irregular shape, Watson added.
Further monitoring is being conducted at the boundaries of the zone to ensure any emissions are quickly detected and assessed.
“The team is working hard to help complete the investigation and mitigation to allow for further reduction in the future,” Watson said.
Jennifer Barton, assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, provided a rundown of the area gas wells being investigated. Samples are currently undergoing analysis.
“Plugging of the Tait well as I said is well underway and we are expecting it to be on schedule within the two-week timeframe,” she said. “Work on APEC (area of potential environmental concern) 1 and APEC 3 wells will begin following the completion of the work on the Tait well.
“The mitigation of those wells is anticipated to also take about two weeks each.”
Barton added that mitigation is on track and expected to be completed in mid to late May.
Restaging of fencing to the new evacuation zone will begin this Wednesday, beginning at the northwest corner of the evacuation zone, at Foster Street, moving clockwise around the zone. Fencing around the new area is anticipated to take a day or two.
“The team has been procuring all the materials and fencing and signage we need to do this,” said Ryan Brown, director of public works.
All residents and businesses that will have access to their properties outside the evacuation zone are asked to contact their insurance companies and discuss next steps.
Municipal case managers will also be calling each evacuated household to provide guidance and discuss their individual circumstances. Economic development officers will reach out to businesses in the coming days.
However, reactivation of utilities must occur before occupancy, with utility companies working with residents to ensure a smooth reactivation.
“Under the Ontario Building Code, there’s requirements that a building needs utilities to be occupied,” Brown said. “(But) residents can still access their home as soon as the fence is moved back.”
Garbage pickup will resume, he added, and there will also be dumpsters available on site.
For property owners remaining in the evacuation zone, the municipality will try to accommodate limited access, but only to properties deemed safe to enter. This access will be limited to certain periods of time when work conditions allow for it.
The Provincial Wheatley Resident Assistance Program will continue to provide help for temporary accommodations for all households that remain evacuated.
“(It’s) certainly a good day in terms of moving forward within Wheatley,” said April Rietdyk, general manager of community human services.
“This is going to be an emotional time as we get ready to re-enter our homes. We need to continue to support our neighbors who are not able to go back home yet, while we work diligently on the site to get them back as well.”
Those who would like assistance in completing a home pre-inspection, including an initial gas reading and visual inspection, are asked to call their case manager. Case managers can be reached during business hours at 519-351-8573.
Gas was first identified at the Erie Street North site in June of last year, which prompted the immediate evacuation of homes and businesses in the area.
The following month, three dozen homes and businesses were evacuated after hydrogen sulphide was again detected at the downtown site.
On Aug. 26, toxic gas detectors raised the alarm that afternoon, giving municipal staff and emergency crews enough time to evacuate the area before a blast destroyed two buildings about 90 minutes later. Twenty people suffered minor injuries from the explosion.
Since the August blast, gas has been detected about a half dozen times in the cordoned-off area.
Saturday’s public meeting was livestreamed on the municipality’s Facebook and YouTube pages, and is available for replay.
Wheatley subscription members will receive a detailed document with information and resources that outline the various steps for safe re-entry to properties.
For more information, visit: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wheatley-updates