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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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MTBE

Rector 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.

 

24

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND40ND
2015ND30ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND10ND
2018ND70ND
2019ND50ND

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
2014-01-2714030000801ND
2014-05-1514136001001ND
2014-08-0614219000302ND
2014-10-2114296001201ND
2015-05-2015141015201ND
2015-05-2015141014902ND
2015-11-1215317007801ND
2016-02-1616049006701ND
2016-05-0916133003209ND
2016-08-0816224000301ND
2016-10-2516300003301ND
2017-10-1617291000901ND
2018-01-0918012001201ND
2018-06-1118164002202ND
2018-06-1118164002301ND
2018-08-2718242002902ND
2018-08-2718242002801ND
2018-12-0418339000501ND
2018-12-0418339000601ND
2019-02-1919052008801ND
2019-02-1919052008701ND
2019-04-2219114000808ND
2019-04-2219114000708ND
2019-10-0819283013701ND