Wheatley Updates

Work crews are awaiting additional equipment to continue coring the APEC 1 well nearest the site of last year’s explosion. Work on the well started this week.

The intent of this work is to learn more about the construction and depth of this well. No gas has been detected throughout the process.

Work has been paused until additional equipment arrives on site. The equipment is expected to be on-site Monday.

Once the investigation is complete the activities will switch over to remediation on APEC 1.

A total of 58 properties, residential or commercial have been affected by the reductions in the evacuation area. Each of those properties was deemed unsafe by Building Development Services and orders prohibiting use or occupancy were issued.

To date, orders on 15 residential and 6 commercial properties have been rescinded which allows those property owners to move back into their homes or open their businesses.

Of the 34 homeowners who were evacuated after the explosion, 10 homeowners, have returned home with another expected shortly.

Work crews Monday began coring of the APEC 1 well nearest the site of last year’s explosion. The intent of this work is to learn more about the construction and depth of this well. No gas has been detected throughout the process.

Work is continuing today, and residents may see more activity and heavy equipment on-site in the coming days. Once the investigation is complete the activities will switch over to remediation on APEC 1.

Work crews have completed driving a conductor pipe into the bedrock at the APEC 3 site at the northern end of the municipal parking lot.

Work will begin on APEC 1 early next week.

Work has already been completed on APEC 2 (also known as the Tait Well).

Wheatley team will be coordinating request from those still evacuated up until the work starts.

Work crews have completed driving a conductor pipe into the bedrock at the APEC 3 site at the northern end of the municipal parking lot.

The 13” pipe surrounds the actual well and material brought to the surface will be used to help determine the nature of the well.

Drilling work is finished, and cementing is scheduled for Thursday.

Work has already been completed on APEC 2 (also known as the Tait Well). Once APEC 3 is completed, remediation will begin on the APEC 1 well. (nearest the explosion site).

Following the activation of street and traffic lights today, Talbot Road and Erie South have been re-opened. Fences were moved Monday.

The new emergency site map showing boundaries Is attached.

Operations on APEC 3 are underway, and work will continue through the week. A conductor pipe will be driven over the original well and residents may notice hammering sounds that are different from the work that was done on the APEC 2 well.

Property owners have had Orders placed on their buildings from the Chief Building Official. The Chief Building Official will be rescinding the orders on each property once Municipal Water (PUC), Electrical Authority (ESA), and Natural Gas (Enbridge) have been reinstated by the utility and an inspection by Building Development Services has taken place.

Upon reconnection of the utilities, property owners are to call 3-1-1 and ask to be directed to Building Development Services to schedule an inspection. It is expected that Building Development Services will complete this inspection within 24 hours of receiving the request.

Work has progressed on site that will allow a further reduction to the Wheatley Emergency area. Fences will be moved Monday, May 30 for the properties along Talbot Road that are outside the area identified in purple, yellow and red hatched on the attached map.

Talbot Road and Erie Street South will remain closed and be re-opened as soon as they are deemed safe to allow through traffic. Local traffic will be permitted for property owners and tenants to start the recovery of their buildings.

Pleased be advised that property owners will have Orders placed on their buildings from the Chief Building Official. The Chief Building Official will be rescinding the orders on each property once Municipal Water (PUC), Electrical Authority (ESA) and Natural Gas (Enbridge) have been reinstated by the utility and an inspection by Building Development Services has taken place.

Upon reconnection of the utilities, property owners are to call 3-1-1 and ask to be directed to Building Development Services to schedule an inspection. It is expected that Building Development Services will complete this inspection within 24 hours of receiving the request.

For more details on the reasons for the Order, please refer to page 4 of the Resources and Information for Residents and Business – Building Owners document found, which can be found at:

https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wheatley-updates

Operations on APEC 3 well are underway, and work will continue through the weekend. A conductor pipe will be driven over the original well and residents may notice hammering sounds that are different from the work that was done on the APEC 2 well.

Contractors are preparing to begin the next investigative step on the APEC 3 well at the far end of the municipal parking lot near the intersection of Erie and Elm Streets.

The investigation will determine whether the well was drilled for water or gas exploration and the findings will determine remediation steps.

Work is also underway to re-open Talbot Street East and West and Erie Street South. Those streets could be open early next week.

Advance voting for the June 2 provincial election which has been taking place at the Wheatley United Church, 59 Talbot Road concludes today at 8:00 pm. That same location will be the polling station on election day, June 2.