The Municipality of Chatham-Kent says work is underway to determine if there is a fourth abandoned gas well in downtown Wheatley.
Municipal officials said soil vapour probes in the area have detected low-level gas readings and contractors are now hydro-vac trenching and removing asphalt around the exterior of the site at 17 Talbot Road East.
Hydro vacuum trenching is a safe, non-invasive cleaning method that uses high-pressure water and industrial-strength vacuums from a hydro excavation truck to excavate and remove dust, dirt, and debris.
Thomas Kelly, Chatham-Kent’s General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, said the work is being done to get further information about the source of the gas.
“The investigation process has been meticulous,” said Kelly. “We want to determine whether there is a fourth Area of Potential Environmental Concern [gas well] or if the gas is related to APEC 1, 2 or 3 [the other identified gas wells of concern].”
The municipality noted engineers met Thursday morning to finalize the appropriate next steps for the other identified wells.
Operational plans and well licenses will then be developed to ensure the work is performed in a safe manner.
The next phase of the work is expected to start next week and access to properties will continue on Sunday only because of the work being done at the site.
Municipal officials concluded another session of face-to-face meetings with homeowners on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the equipment to re-drill the Tait gas well in the municipal parking lot has arrived.
The contractor will be soon able to re-enter the well and collect additional information for investigators, according to the municipality.
Municipal officials also said the analysis of gas and water samples taken from the monitoring wells in late February continues.