Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in Public and Private Wells in New Hampshire: Occurrence, Factors, and Possible Implications

Abstract

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) concentrations g0.2 µg/L were found in samples of untreated water in 18% of publicsupply wells (n ) 284) and 9.1% of private domestic wells (n ) 264) sampled in 2005 and 2006 in New Hampshire. In counties that used reformulated gasoline (RFG), MTBE occurred at or above 0.2 µg/L in 30% of public-and 17% of private-supply wells. Additionally, 52% of public-supply wells collocated with fuel storage and 71% of mobile home park wells had MTBE. MTBE occurrence in public-supply wells was predicted by factors such as proximity to sources of fuel, land use, and population density, as well as low pH and distance from mapped lineaments. RFG use, land-use variables, and pH were important predictors of private-well MTBE occurrence. Variables representing sources of MTBE, such as the distance to known fuel sources, were not significant predictors of MTBE occurrence in private-supply wells. It is hypothesized that private wells may become contaminated from the collective effects of sources in high population areas and from undocumented incidental releases from onsite or proximal gasoline use. From 2003 to 2005, MTBE occurrence decreased in 63 publicsupply wells and increased in 60 private-supply wells, but neither trend was statistically significant.

The Occurrence and Persistence of MTBE in Groundwater in Windham, Maine, USA

“…These findings corroborate the results of a study of water supply wells in New Hampshire where 9.1% of private wells were found to contain detectable MTBE (Ayotte et al 2008). Ayotte et al (2008) conjecture that the MTBE releases were related to population density and undocumented (small) releases.…”

“…These findings corroborate the results of a study of water supply wells in New Hampshire where 9.1% of private wells were found to contain detectable MTBE (Ayotte et al 2008). Ayotte et al (2008) conjecture that the MTBE releases were related to population density and undocumented (small) releases. The detection frequencies for MTBE in groundwater in Windham were similar, but not identical, to a study in Germany that found MTBE occurrences of 63% and 24% for urban and nonurban areas, respectively (Kolb and Puttmann 2006).…”

Adsorption of methyl tert-butyl ether using granular activated carbon: Equilibrium and kinetic analysis

“…To date, MTBE-related problems have spread *Corresponding Author Email: jchen@zjut.edu.cn Tel. : +86571 8832 0386;Fax: +86571 8832 0882 worldwide including USA, Europe and Asia (Squillace et al, 1996;Achten and Puttmann, 2000;Hsieh et al, 2006;Ayotte et al, 2008). Therefore, there has been a growing concern regarding the treatment of MTBE contaminated groundwater in recent years (Suidan et al, 2005;Chen et al, , 2009.…”

Using groundwater age distributions to understand changes in methyl tert-butyl ether (MtBE) concentrations in ambient groundwater, northeastern United States

“…The question addressed in this study is, in the time since the discontinuation of MtBE usage, are widespread, low-levels of MtBE contamination in ambient groundwater changing, and can groundwater age explain these changes? Studies in areas with widespread, low-levels of MtBE completed shortly after the decline in MtBE use have been inconclusive (Ayotte et al, 2008;Peckenham, 2007). MTBE also is a concern internationally, although the rise and decline in its use may have been more rapid in the U.S. than elsewhere.…”