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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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MTBE

Harris County MUD 157

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.

 

14

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND

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
2014-08-07AC62556ND
2015-05-15AC92350ND
2015-05-15AC92346ND
2015-09-29AD08995ND
2015-12-07AD15794ND
2016-02-11AD23387ND
2016-02-11AD23379ND
2017-03-14AD74883ND
2017-03-14AD74945ND
2017-12-15AE07852ND
2018-03-28AE20383ND
2018-03-28AE20419ND
2019-02-20AE55091ND
2019-12-19AE92885ND