Officials in Chatham-Kent believe they have found the water well responsible for multiple gas leaks in downtown Wheatley in late June and early July.
On June 26, 2025, Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case confirmed the "strong" odour was hydrogen sulfide gas, the same gas that caused the 2021 explosion in downtown Wheatley that damaged and destroyed several buildings and injured 20 people.
The chief previously said fire crews arrived to find gas and water bubbling up from an area behind the Chatham-Kent Library Branch on Talbot Street West, adding that there were a total of six gas leaks between June 26 and Canada Day.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the municipality reported contractors unearthed a 6'' metal casing in the area of the gas emissions, which is consistent with a water well mentioned in historical records.
Chatham-Kent Director of Public Works Ryan Brown previously told council that he found news articles showing a fire and gas explosion in the area in the 1930s before the library was there.
CK officials said the area was fully excavated on Tuesday and a new pipe was installed on the casing to extend it to the surface.
Preparations are being made to enter the water well Wednesday morning with a water well drilling rig to confirm sizes and depth.
"Once confirmed that the well is free of debris, the drilling rig will be able to begin the process of plugging the well," said the municipality.
An in-person community meeting for those wanting to learn more about the operation will be held Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wheatley Village Resource Centre.
The municipality also has plans to investigate another potential water well at the corner of Erie Street South and Chestnut Street.
