The methane leak found in Bonnyville due to an orphan well may have some daunting consequences for surrounding homeowners who are facing the potential demolition of their homes to make room for equipment to come in and fix the leak.
Homeowners expressed a deep sorrow at the potential loss of their homes, their fears about not being able to find suitable housing alternatives, and the constant stress of not knowing their fate.
Earlier this month, information was released about the situation. The orphan well is located within the 4500 block between 45 and 46 Avenue in Bonnyville.
Newly Renovated
A homeowner living in a house near the well told Lakeland this Week that they had been renovating for the past five to six years, and having finally completed their home, they are now faced with the reality that it could be demolished.
“There is not a square inch of the house that hasn’t been touched. We bought it as a repossession... Fair market value could never cover the time and effort we put into making this our home,” said the homeowner, who asked not to be identified.
They said they would never have purchased the house and taken the risk had they known that it was on top of an orphan well and feel this issue should be addressed so future home buyers can make informed decisions.
The homeowners have been in contact with Bonnyville-Cold-Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr, in an effort create more transparency about orphan wells for future home buyers.
Homeowners are concerned about the property value of the whole neighborhood, and although they feel these orphan wells should be disclosed, they also worry about the impact the information will now have on property values.
“The next point is, who is liable?"
The homeowner recalls back in June when the leak was discovered, the fire department was brought it.
“That was scary. When you hear the word methane you think about how flammable it is. I know we’re safe now, but it's always in the back of your brain... It’s just been a nightmare.”
Many of the homeowners in the area are seniors, or at the point where they are ready to retire.
“We’re at the age where we are ready to retire, and we can’t start rebuilding at this time in our life. Everything we’ve worked for all our lives, a lot of it is in this house.”
Accessibility
For a different homeowner, who also wished to remain anonymous, their main concern is the fact that they might lose one of the only accessible homes available to them in Bonnyville.
The house, previously owned by someone in a wheelchair, was the perfect place for this homeowner to heal after a surgery left them with chronic pain and mobility limitations.
The homeowner says there are few homes available in Bonnyville with proper accessibility.
“I bought this house last year because I knew I’d be having surgery... I just have nowhere else to go... I can’t even pack or move. I can’t even get my shoes on yet, and I still have to get another surgery.”
The homeowner expressed their desire to be understanding and not cause problems, but the reality of their uncertain housing situation is a serious source of stress.
“Even if I move into somewhere else with similar resources, it still won’t have the same level of accessibility, and I will be paying way more in the long run as I will have to increase my home care.”
Due to the proximity of the orphan well, this homeowners house is in jeopardy of being demolished, and some of the area could be turned into greenspace.
With such limited housing options, this homeowner is hoping the Orphan Well Association can find an alternative solution that allows them to remain in their home.
Background
As previously reported by Lakeland This Week, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) directed the Orphan Well Association (OWA) to monitor the area to ensure public safety. OWA located and exposed the well, and installed a soil Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU) to reduce the methane gas volumes observed in the area.
Lars De Pauw, president of OWA, told Lakeland This Week that OWA is also conducting ongoing gas migration testing in the immediate and neighbouring area, and engaged an engineering team on strategies to repair or decommission the well.
“We are finalizing our decommissioning plans but there is a high likelihood that several homes will have to be removed,” to allow decommissioning equipment to access the well, said De Pauw.
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