Methane-detecting drone will fly over Wheatley ahead of excavation

Officials say a drone capable of detecting methane will be flying over Wheatley in August as part of the project tosearch forgas wells in the evacuation zone.

Chatham-Kent councilvoted earlier this monthto excavate anentire block of the downtowntoconfirm whether there are any more gas or water wells following the 2021 gas explosion that destroyed two buildings.

The work is expected to begin on Sept. 3but preparations have already begun, the municipality said in a media release on Tuesday.

The contractor,ELM 360 Environmental Consulting Ltd., will be looking for wells and destroying the remaining building foundations.

An emergency plan is in place that includes having staff and equipmentready to work 24 hoursa dayto remediate a well, in the event oneis found.

Employees with the municipality are going to go door-to-door in Wheatley to explain the work and let people know about the emergency plan, and a community open house is set for Aug. 8.

The methane-detecting drone will be flying over the village and surrounding areas starting Aug. 7, the municipality says.

"This work will be done pre- and post-excavation in the work zone to confirm if any activities caused a change in known methane emissions," the municipality said.

Thatwork is expected to last several days.