How Does MTBE Get into Water Supplies?
Because gasoline is so widely used, MTBE finds it’s way into almost every part of the environment. MTBE can get into water supplies from gasoline leaks, storage tanks, pipelines and spills. It may also get into surface waters from boats and personal water craft. MTBE evaporates into the air, but it is believed that most MTBE in air breaks down to other components. However, when MTBE gets into ground water, it does not readily evaporate or break down. It dissolves in the ground water and can move through an aquifer in the form of a “plume”.
