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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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MTBE

San Diego County Water Authority

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
2014ND50ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND40ND
2019ND30ND

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
2014-02-059590-003-1102ND
2014-04-099590-003-1424ND
2014-07-249590-003-1229ND
2014-12-169590-003-1143ND
2014-12-299590-001-1010ND
2015-01-059590-003-1039ND
2015-04-089590-003-1429ND
2015-08-259590-003-1333ND
2015-10-209590-003-1202ND
2016-02-109590-003-1340ND
2016-06-169590-003-1435ND
2016-08-029590-003-1135ND
2016-11-299590-003-1309ND
2017-03-309590-003-1230ND
2017-06-149590-003-0942ND
2017-07-059590-003-1134ND
2017-10-169590-003-1305ND
2018-01-039590-003-1215ND
2018-04-109590-003-1230ND
2018-09-179590-003-1218ND
2018-10-019590-003-1326ND
2019-06-139590-003-1044ND
2019-09-179590-003-1230ND
2019-12-119590-003-0724ND