City Asks For Residents' Help To Find Extent of Methane Plume

Winston-Salem officials are trying to find the boundaries of a methane gas plume in the area near Bowman Gray Stadium. They met with residents Thursday, asking for their permission to take samples inside their homes and on their properties.

Assistant City manager Greg Turner says high levels have been found in the stadium's parking lot, but so far not inside the homes nearby.

“We know that of the 14 houses that we've tested, none have come back positive. But we still want to make sure," he says.

The methane is coming from two landfills that have been closed for years. Jacob Hughes Jr. grew up in the area. He says concerns about the gas could harm the neighborhood.

“When people don't know about something, it scares them," he says. "So when people hear about the methane gas – who wants to come? No one wants to come, so it could be a problem.”

It's the second major environmental concern to strike Winston-Salem this year. This spring, students at Hanes and Lowrance middle schools were relocated after school officials disclosed a toxic plume under the school.

A full report on the methane testing around Bowman Gray Stadium is expected to be released in August.