Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE): Drinking Water

This site provides information on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency on the concerns and occurence of MTBE in drinking water.  MTBE, a gasoline oxygenater additive, has been detected in ground water sources throughout different parts of the country. These ground water sources are often the source of drinking water, and the presence of methyl tertiary butyl ether in even minute quantities can make the water undrinkable. Research to date has not conclusively identified any quantitative level at which serious health risks may occur.