USGS REPORTS MTBE IN GROUNDWATER

April 17, 1995
The U.S. Geological Survey reports methyl tertiary butyl ether has been found in shallow groundwater of eight urban areas of the nation. USGS said only 3% of the wells sampled in urban areas had MTBE concentrations exceeding the estimated lower limit of the draft drinking water advisory level determined by the Environmental Protection Agency. Shallow urban wells held detectable MTBE concentrations in Denver, Reno, Nev., Albany, N.Y, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Albuquerque, and sites

The U.S. Geological Survey reports methyl tertiary butyl ether has been found in shallow groundwater of eight urban areas of the nation.

USGS said only 3% of the wells sampled in urban areas had MTBE concentrations exceeding the estimated lower limit of the draft drinking water advisory level determined by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Shallow urban wells held detectable MTBE concentrations in Denver, Reno, Nev., Albany, N.Y, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Albuquerque, and sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

None of the wells sampled was being used as a source of drinking water.

"In general," EPA said, public water supplies draw water from deeper parts of the groundwater system, and there are few data showing concentrations of MTBE at these depths."

Concentrations of MTBE and 59 other volatile organic compounds were measured in samples from 211 urban wells and 524 agricultural wells in 1993 and 1994. EPA has tentatively classified MTBE as a possible human carcinogen.

USGS said the compound may have leaked from underground storage tanks and spills on the surface.

Fred Craft, executive director of the Oxygenated Fuels Association, stressed that trace levels of MTBE pose no risk to public health.

"The average concentration level found was 0.6 parts per billion, which is well below EPA's considered drinking water health advisory standard range of 20-200 parts per billion.

"Those wells with higher levels would indicate a gasoline storage tank leak or a spill that should have been investigated or corrected."

Copyright 1995 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.