Question:
It is now time to begin the serious work ahead. The purpose of this meeting is to develop the following work groups: habitat, land use, water resources

I'm concerning the gasoline additive MTBE

Answer: The major problem with MTBE is that it is incredibly soluble in water. It is 50 times more soluble in water than the other toxic chemicals found in gasoline. MTBE moves faster and farther into groundwater than the other chemicals in gasoline. In fact, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has identified MTBE to be the second most commonly found volatile organic compound (VOC) in groundwater nationwide. In addition, a study by S.J. Grady of the USGS found MTBE was the "most frequently detected VOC" in New England groundwater between 1993-1995.

It takes only very small amounts of MTBE to contaminate massive amounts of water. The USGS found 1 gallon of reformulated gasoline can contaminate 4 million gallons of water with MTBE resulting in a 20 parts per billion level of MTBE. 20 parts per billion is the lower level recommended by a 1997 US EPA Advisory on MTBE in drinking water

Maine's random well survey has now proven just how dangerous MTBE can be to water. As you know, Maine found that possibly 1% or 4,300 of their private wells are contaminated above safe drinking water levels with MTBE. Maine predicted 5,600 of their private wells would be contaminated if they use the 20 parts per billion level, as recommended by the 1997 US EPA Advisory on MTBE in drinking water.