MTBE
City of Chico
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.
19
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0.660 ppb | 3 | 1 | ND - 1.98 ppb |
| 2019 | 0.597 ppb | 3 | 1 | ND - 1.79 ppb |
| 2020 | 0.385 ppb | 4 | 1 | ND - 1.54 ppb |
| 2021 | 2.72 ppb | 3 | 1 | ND - 8.16 ppb |
| 2022 | 2.94 ppb | 3 | 1 | ND - 8.83 ppb |
| 2023 | 2.29 ppb | 3 | 1 | ND - 6.87 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-12-13 | Q1851676003 | 1.98 ppb |
| 2018-12-13 | Q1851676006 | ND |
| 2018-12-13 | Q1851676001 | ND |
| 2019-01-08 | Q1900653001 | 1.79 ppb |
| 2019-01-08 | Q1900653006 | ND |
| 2019-01-08 | Q1900653010 | ND |
| 2020-03-02 | Q2007727001 | 1.54 ppb |
| 2020-06-01 | Q2021442001 | ND |
| 2020-08-19 | Q2033209003 | ND |
| 2020-08-19 | Q2033209001 | ND |
| 2021-08-11 | Q2121372007 | ND |
| 2021-08-11 | Q2121372009 | 8.16 ppb |
| 2021-08-11 | Q2121372011 | ND |
| 2022-09-08 | Q2226813001 | ND |
| 2022-09-08 | Q2226813003 | 8.83 ppb |
| 2022-09-08 | Q2226813005 | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | Q2319948009 | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | Q2319948011 | 6.87 ppb |
| 2023-05-30 | Q2319948013 | ND |