Politics & Government
Probe Finds Methane Gas South of Batavia Rehab Center
A Tuesday update from Batavia City Hall indicates methane gas was discovered underground on Orion Street between Surrey Road and Nagel Boulevard on the city's north side.
A Waste Management probe on Tuesday found methane gas south of Batavia Rehabilitation & Health Care, the announced.
The probe is located on Orion Street, between Surrey and Nagel. The city shared information about the discovery in updates time stamped at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday.
is a facility for seniors who are recovering from injuries or surgery and require special medical attention. The center was tested before Christmas and no actual methane was discovered there, said Julie Hearst, a regional marketing director works with Batavia's center.
Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"In response to this concern, Waste Management representatives, accompanied by city of Batavia Public Works employees, are in the process of obtaining permission to enter and test the seven homes located along the east side of Surrey. As of this update, three homes have been tested with NO indication of methane gas present," the report said.
Kane County and city of Geneva websites do not appear to have the Tuesday update as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In the 6 p.m. update, the city of Batavia reported that seven homes to the east of the probe on Surrey south of the rehabilitation facility were visited today (Tuesday, Dec. 27.) Methane levels were tested at three homes, and no methane was found. Notes were left for the remaining people to call Waste Management for testing.
"As a further precaution, Waste Management will begin contacting the homes on the west side of Surrey and offering to test in the basement and sump pits as well. Waste Management personnel will be accompanied by city of Batavia employees," the report says.
If any methane at all is found, Waste Management will work with the homeowners to continue monitoring and arrange for remediation. The report says remediation for methane gas is the same process used for radon remediation.
On Wednesday, "an additional probe, planned on last week, will be drilled on Madison at the north end of Forest. As before, all probes will be tested, and work will continue on the permanent well, vacuum and pipe system north of Fabyan to retain all methane on the landfill campus," the report says.
The report says the 22 utility test sites have not shown any methane and will be monitored on alternate days.
The Batavia site promises updates after the conference call has been completed.
For the full city of Batavia release, visit the website here.
