Due to a gas release earlier this month, municipal officials have decided to put in a relief well as mitigation efforts continue at the site of last year’s gas explosion in downtown Wheatley.
A conductor pipe was installed as a first step of a redundant pressure relief well in the municipal parking lot near the area of potential environmental concern site before proceeding with further remediation, officials said in a release Tuesday.
“Investigation work has taken place at the site since the release, which took place while workers were in the process of excavating in preparation for driving a larger conductor pipe over the existing well,” they stated.
“The purpose of this new work is to provided redundancy in the venting of any potential gas release away from the work taking place. Work is to begin this week.”
The two-hour release on July 6 was measured at 24 parts per billion in the atmosphere, less than one-hundredth of the amount that would represent a safety hazard, the release added. Some smell was noticeable at the site.
There has been no gas emission since that time.
A thorough review of the gas monitoring system and health and safety plans was undertaken, with officials noting that at no time was there a risk to the community beyond the present evacuation zone.
When work resumes, an odor of gas may be detected. If residents at any time detect the smell of gas, they are asked to immediately call 911.