Although there are more answers than there were a year ago, some Wheatley residents are still dealing with the aftermath as they wait to get back into their homes.
The municipality hosted a public meeting in the community’s arena on Thursday night, with about 50 people in attendance to listen to a panel of staff and experts.
There has been progress with respect to mitigation of the wells, which have been plugged, but there is still no timeframe for when those who are evacuated will be able to return after last year’s gas explosion and subsequent leak investigation.
Jennifer Barton, assistant deputy minister for Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, admitted the efforts have taken longer than everyone had hoped.
“This has been extremely important work, to work through the investigation,” she said. “It’s not a quick and simple fix. I understand that many of you have been directly and indirectly impacted.”
Some residents say they are in limbo with how soon their properties can even be repaired.
Stephanie Charbonneau, a Foster Street resident currently living in a rental outside of Leamington, said a contractor told her it could be January or February before that happens.
During the question-and-answer period, she told the panel her family’s world is “still upside down,” as they wait for what’s next.
“I think a lot of it is political jargon,” she said after the meeting. “We’ve always had to read between the lines.”
Other residents raised concerns about the future safety of the properties, as well as uncertainty about whether insurers will cover their homes and businesses.
Don Shropshire, Chatham-Kent’s former chief administrative officer, who is remaining in an advisory capacity on the Wheatley file, said he sympathized with those affected.
“We are grateful we’re not through this,” he said.
Sean McFarland, of Golder Associates, provided a rundown of the work completed to date. Regional sampling remains ongoing to assist with the gas pathway analysis.
Several recommendations were listed, including a permanent monitoring system and pressure relief well, with a flare or scrubbing system as a contingency.
McFarland added there hasn’t been “any gas detected at surface” since the mitigation work.
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 the afternoon of Aug. 26, 2021, toxic gas detectors raised the alarm, providing municipal staff and emergency crews enough time to clear the area before a blast destroyed two buildings about 90 minutes later. Twenty people suffered minor injuries from the explosion.
Chatham-Kent fire and emergency services Chief Chris Case urged residents to immediately call 911 if they detect the smell of gas and not to think that they’re bothering firefighters.
“We want to be bothered,” he said.
Ryan Brown, Chatham-Kent’s acting general manager of infrastructure and engineering, said the current evacuation zone will be re-evaluated after testing is conducted.
At that point, there will be contractor demobilization, cleanup, asphalt removal and general repairs. Brown added another goal is to reopen the Wheatley library branch as soon as possible.
He said building officials will contact property owners when the time comes for a structural assessment, in order to set up an appointment.
“We will be reaching out to you,” Brown said.