The final well in downtown Wheatley suspected of leaking gas has been capped.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said the capping was finished last Wednesday.
Testing of the monitoring well in the municipal parking lot was also done by provincial contractors and a team from the University of Windsor this week and the test "ran smoothly," according to the municipality.
"Gas was flared off and all equipment worked as planned," the municipality said in a statement. "The water from the well was discharged into the sanitary sewer."
Officials said the quantity and concentration of any gases emitted were measured to further review the evacuation zone and determine next steps for monitoring.
Residents are reminded that flaring means the planned process and equipment are working as intended.
Residents are also reminded that if at any time the smell of gas is detected, to immediately call 9-1-1.
The municipality added that most of the work to restore the site has been undertaken, but there is still some contractor equipment on site and some clean up work left to do.
Last month, the Ontario Fire Marshal confirmed that Methane Hydrogen Sulfide gas (H2S) caused the massive explosion in downtown Wheatley last summer.
Meantime, the Library branch in Wheatley will be reopening and resuming regular service in just over a week. CEO and Chief Librarian Tania Sharpe said regular library services will resume on October 18, 2022 in Wheatley.
The Wheatley Branch closed after the gas explosion last August and has been providing limited library service since mid-October of 2021 at the Wheatley Resource Centre.
"The space has been shined up and is ready for your return," said Sharpe in a statement. "We have fresh paint on the outside doors and have professionally cleaned our space from top to bottom!"
She said all library services will be available, including WiFi and computer access; printing and photocopying service; along with all of the books, magazines and DVDs.
Hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
