MTBE
Medford Waterworks
MTBE was used as gasoline oxygenation additive to boost the octane number. In 2005, MTBE was replaced by ethanol as a gasoline additive. MTBE causes cancers in rats.
15
Samples
0
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
0
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.276 ppb | 5 | 4 | ND - 0.400 ppb |
| 2015 | 0.412 ppb | 5 | 5 | 0.160 ppb - 0.500 ppb |
| 2016 | 0.480 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.430 ppb - 0.530 ppb |
| 2017 | 0.240 ppb | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.480 ppb |
| 2018 | 0.320 ppb | 1 | 1 | 0.320 ppb |
| 2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 13 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 13 ppb for MTBE was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-21 | 767182 | 0.260 ppb |
| 2014-04-30 | 783269 | 0.400 ppb |
| 2014-09-17 | 819125 | ND |
| 2014-09-17 | 819124 | 0.340 ppb |
| 2014-12-03 | 834158 | 0.380 ppb |
| 2015-03-02 | 845773 | 0.470 ppb |
| 2015-06-23 | 867430 | 0.500 ppb |
| 2015-09-15 | 883133 | 0.500 ppb |
| 2015-09-30 | 886783 | 0.160 ppb |
| 2015-10-28 | 891588 | 0.430 ppb |
| 2016-01-25 | 902620 | 0.430 ppb |
| 2016-04-27 | 918278 | 0.530 ppb |
| 2017-05-16 | 990557 | ND |
| 2017-06-26 | 1000152 | 0.480 ppb |
| 2018-04-10 | 1049492 | 0.320 ppb |