Wheatley Updates

This page will act as a resource page for Wheatley's Revitalization project.


This page will act as a resource page for Wheatley's Revitalization project.


  • Work on Wheatley Properties Under Way

    The clean-up and restoration of utilities to properties formerly in the evacuation zone in Wheatley continues this week.

    As of this morning, 14 customers have had their electricity restored and ten have had their water turned on. Three dumpsters have been placed outside the evacuation zone for the convenience of residents. At this time, residents are not being billed for water usage.

    Portable washroom facilities have been made available for residents who are working on their properties but haven't had water restored.

    Earlier this month, the evacuation zone was reduced. A map of the new zone can be found on Let's Talk Chatham-Kent/Wheatley-Updates.

    Chatham-Kent Public Works Director Ryan Brown said officials are examining data from two incidents last week involving the release of a low level of combustible gas.

    There was a release of gas Friday morning and a second release Friday night that lasted until Saturday morning. In both cases, the systems, procedures and venting stack worked according to design.

    The last release at APEC 1 happened in November of 2021.

    Brown said the incidents demonstrated the effectiveness of safety procedures in place and served as a reminder that the situation is not yet fully resolved.

    Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case said Fire and Emergency Services provided additional resources and air monitoring around the perimeter of the evacuation zone to ensure safety.

    "There are valid reasons why we have been on site non-stop since gas was detected last June," he said. "Although there was no threat to public safety on the weekend, we cannot let our guard down. We will remain in place until such time as the situation is resolved."

  • Gas Flared on Site in Wheatley

    On Friday, April 22nd, a low level of combustible gas was released at the Wheatley site. The systems, procedures and venting stack worked according to design and the gas was effectively flared off.

    Public safety continues to be our priority focus and at no point was their any danger to the public. Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services provided additional resources and air monitoring around the perimeter of the evacuation zone to ensure that safety.

    A second event occurred later in the evening and steps were taken to ensure ongoing safety including igniting the flare stack to control the gas and staffing up the site for overnight observation.

    By 9:00 a.m. this morning gas levels had reduced to allow the stack to be extinguished and regular monitoring returned by the on-site team.

    “We are pleased that the mitigation equipment/procedures on-site are working exactly as planned and are confident that the current evacuation zone remains secure.”, said Ryan Brown.

  • Re-drilling of Tait Well Continuing Into The Weekend

    Re-drilling of the Tait Well is continuing today and the work will continue into the weekend. Property visits within the evacuation zone are suspended while this work is underway. Property visits will resume when feasible to do so.

    Last week the evacuation zone was reduced. Work is currently underway to restore utilities in the thirty-four properties that are no longer part of the evacuation zone.

    Those wishing to review the map showing the reduction of the evacuation zone and Canada Revenue documents for residents and business owners can be found on Let's Talk Chatham-Kent/Wheatley-Updates.

    The Municipality recognizes that many residents and businesses remain evacuated and are in need of continuing support. Case Managers and Economic Development staff are available to provide support to our residents and business owners.

    A reminder to those living and working in Wheatley:

    • Victim Services is available to provide support. For those needing assistance, contact 519-436-6630 or visit https://ckvictimservices.com/.
    • The Village Resource Centre is available to provide food, clothing and aid at 108 Talbot Street East, 226-484-1004.
    • Evacuees can call 519-351-8573 during office hours and speak to a Wheatley Crisis Case Manager. After office hours they can call 519-354-6628 and they will be assisted with access to an on-call supervisor.
  • Re-drilling of Tait Well Pausing for the Weekend

    Re-drilling of the Tait Well in the APEC 2 area in Wheatley will pause during the coming weekend to allow the contractor to assess the work done to date.

    This will allow residents in the new, smaller evacuation zone an opportunity to access their properties. Residents who want access should contact their caseworkers or call the Municipality at 3-1-1.

    The evacuation area has been reduced and restaging of fencing to the new evacuation zone has been completed.

    A map showing the reduction of the evacuation zone can be found on Let's Talk Chatham-Kent/Wheatley-Updates.

    Investigation and remediation work is continuing in the new smaller evacuation zone.

  • Evacuation Zone Reduced in Wheatley

    This morning over 190 residents participated in the hour long meeting hosted on the Municipal Facebook page, where listeners could submit questions to be answered by municipal and provincial representatives.

    Those watching learned that work on the site where a gas explosion occurred back in August 2021 has reached a stage where the evacuation zone can now be reduced. A map showing the new evacuation zone boundaries can be found on Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent/Wheatley-Updates.

    Investigation and remediation work will continue in the new smaller evacuation zone. Restaging of fencing to the new evacuation zone will begin on Wednesday April 13th beginning at the north-west corner of the evacuation zone, moving clockwise around the zone. This restaging of fencing to establish the new evacuation zone is anticipated to take a day or two.

    All residents and businesses that will have access to their properties outside the evacuation zone should reach out to their insurance companies and discuss next steps.

    Reactivation of utilities must occur before occupancy. Utility companies will be working with residents to ensure a smooth reactivation process.

    For owners of properties that remain in the evacuation zone, the Municipality will endeavour to accommodate limited access for those may want access, but only to properties that are deemed safe to enter. Access will be limited to certain periods of time when on-site conditions allow for it, based on the investigation work that is ongoing.

    The Provincial Wheatley Resident Assistance Program will continue to provide assistance for temporary accommodations during renovations as required and for all households that remain evacuated.

    Beginning Saturday afternoon, April 9th, municipal case managers will be calling each evacuated household to provide guidance and discuss their individual circumstances.

    If you would like assistance in completing a pre-inspection of your home, including an initial gas reading and visual inspection of your residence for visible hazards, please communicate this to your case manager. If you miss this opportunity, please call your case manager directly to make your request. Case managers can be reached during business hours at 519-351-8573.

    Economic Development officers will be reaching out to businesses over the coming days to discuss their individual circumstances.

    Wheatley Subscription members will receive a detailed document with information and resources that outlines the various steps for safe re-entry to properties. This information will also be made available on our website at www.chatham-kent.ca.

    We would like to remind the community, safety is the top priority for the workers on-site and the community. Air monitoring will continue to be conducted 24/7 in and around the municipal parking lot, on the perimeter of the evacuation zone and on mobile units. Residents must stay outside of the evacuation zone at all times for their safety.

    Anyone can call 311 to get updates or answers to any questions.

  • Wheatley Work to Begin Tomorrow

    An oil and gas drilling contractor is anticipated to begin re-drilling the Tait Well, located in the APEC 2 area tomorrow morning.

    Residents in the areas adjacent to the evacuation zone may hear and see things that are unfamiliar to them but are perfectly normal for an oil and gas drilling operation.

    Residents can expect to see a variety of large equipment onsite including a drilling rig, storage tanks and a flare stack. Workers will be wearing a variety of personal protective equipment including at times breathing apparatus to prevent exposure to any harmful gases. During several phases of the work, the drill rig will be using a series of air horn blasts to communicate information to workers. Controlled gas releases through the flare stack are to be anticipated. During drilling, if gas is encountered the flare stack will ignite to protect workers on-site and the community. It is possible that residents may notice odours in the air similar to previous gas releases that have occurred on site.

    Safety is the top priority for the community and for the workers on-site. Air monitoring is being conducted 24/7 in and around the municipal parking lot, on the perimeter of the evacuation zone and on mobile units. Residents must stay outside of the evacuation zone at all times for their safety.

    Municipal employees and the Fire Department will be visiting adjacent properties to answer any questions from residents. Anyone can call 3-1-1 to get updates or answers to any questions. Updates will be provided as the work progresses.

  • Next Phase Work to Begin This Week

    Work safety plans have been finalized and it is expected the next phase of work in the gas emission investigation will begin by the end of the week in downtown Wheatley.

    The re-drilling of the Tait well at APEC 2 in the municipal parking lot is expected to begin and will take approximately two weeks. The well is being re-drilled to collect gas samples, the existing structure analyzed and ultimately prepared for re-abandonment. Operational plans for further investigating APEC 1 and 3 are underway which will begin after the work at APEC 2.

    Planned hydro-vac trenching and asphalt removal around the exterior of the 17 Talbot Road East was completed last week. No well was found in the excavated areas, the provincial team is analyzing the results of the investigation to determine the next steps if any are required.

    While safety plans were being prepared, an additional five property visits took place over the weekend. During the re-drilling work, visits will be suspended.

  • Investigation into Potential Fourth Well Under Way

    As the result of low-level gas readings detected from soil vapour probes, contractors on site in Wheatley will begin hydrovac trenching and asphalt removal around the exterior of the 17 Talbot Road East.

    Thomas Kelly, Chatham-Kent’s General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services said the work is being undertaken to gain further information regarding the source of the gas. “The investigation process has been meticulous,” he said. “We want to determine whether there is a fourth Area of Potential Environmental Concern (APEC) or if the gas is related to APEC 1, 2 or 3.”

    Engineers met this morning to finalize the appropriate next steps with respect to wells identified in APEC 1, 2 and 3. Once concluded, operational plans and well licenses will be developed to ensure the work is carried out in a safe manner.

    This next phase of work is expected to commence next week.

    Homeowner access will continue on Sunday only of this weekend due to the work being conducted on-site.

    Municipal officials concluded another session of face-to-face meetings with homeowners Wednesday.

  • Equipment for Work on APEC 2 Arrives on Site

    supporting image

    Plans are continuing for re-drilling the Tait well at APEC 2 in the municipal parking lot.

    Equipment has arrived on site and the contractor will be soon able to re-enter the well and collect additional information for investigators.

    Additional property access continued while the next phase of the work was being readied.

    Analysis of gas and water samples taken from monitoring wells in late February continues.

    Well Drilling Equipment


  • Province Extends Wheatley Residents Assistance Program

    The Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced today that it is extending the housing assistance program for Wheatley residents affected by the evacuation order.

    April Rietdyk, Chatham Kent’s General Manager of Community Human Services, said the announcement is welcome news.

    “The uncertainty of accommodations has understandably been a cause of great anxiety for residents,” she said. “This program will provide some stability in terms of residents’ ability to having accommodation costs covered.”

    Rietdyk said those participating in the program are being contacted by the province and urged residents to continue to work with the case workers who have been assisting with their claims.

Page last updated: 22 Mar 2024, 07:44 PM