Seed Project to Determine the Fate of MtBE in Groundwater in Maine

Abstract:

This seed project will evaluate the effect to groundwater of the March 1999 ban on MtBE in reformulated gasoline (RFG) in  Maine. Groundwater monitoring wells in Windham, Maine will be analyzed for the presence of Methyl tert-butyl ether (MtBE) and related gasoline-range organic compounds. These results will be used to determine if the distribution of MtBE has changed since 1998 when MtBE was found to be widely distributed in the groundwater in Windham. These data will provide and empirical estimate of MtBE persistence in groundwater and build on results of Nielsen and Peckenham (2000). This sampling must occur now because the greatest change is expected within the first several years after the reduction in MtBE content of gasoline. The results will be used to design a larger scale investigation of the fate of MtBE in water supplies.