What is MTBE and is there any in our drinking water?
MTBE stands for Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether. MTBE is used as a gasoline additive to improve combustion and reduce vehicle exhaust emissions in certain parts of the country – mainly the east and west coasts. Ethanol is another gasoline additive that reduces vehicle exhaust emissions and is used mainly in the Midwest. The laboratory at the Water Purification Plant has tested all of the raw water sources (ground water and surface water) and the treated water for MTBE, and it has not been detected. Testing for MTBE will continue.
