Name and Department

MTBE Research

Task Descriptions

1. Analysis of current levels of MTBE in drinking water supplies and coastal waters.
   
2. Sources of MTBE to drinking water supples, including: a) fuel storage tanks as a source of MTBE to groundwater and effects of MTBE on tank materials, b) precipitation and urban runoff, c) recreational watercraft, and d) large spills.
   
3. Environmental transport and fate, including a) MTBE movement in groundwater, b) groundwater modeling, c) surface water hydrodynamics, d) MTBE volatilization from surface waters, and e) lake and reservoir predictive modeling.
   
4. Risk assessment, including a) aquatic toxicity testing and b) mammalian reproductive toxicity testing.
   
5. Environmental risk assessment and frequency of exposure.
   
6. Control options, including a) source control, b) point of withdrawal potable water treatment, and c) economic cost and public health exposure benefits.
   
7. Policy options, recommendations, and public outreach.
   
8. Lake Tahoe-specific assessment.
   
9. Impact of MTBE on vehicle parts and operation.