VOCs & pesticides
MTBE in U.S. tap water
2 public water systems across 1 U.S. states report MTBE in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 1 sit at or above the federal limit.
At or above the federal limit (1)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Torrance, CA 2024 annual report | 0–28 ug/L | 2.2× the limit |
Within the federal limit (1)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Salinas, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
Frequently asked
+What is MTBE?
MTBE is a contaminant some U.S. public water utilities measure and report in their annual Consumer Confidence Report.
+What is the federal limit for MTBE in drinking water?
The federal MCL for MTBE is 5 ug/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have MTBE over the federal limit?
1 of the 2 public water systems on The Water Map report MTBE at or above its federal limit, spanning 1 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if MTBE is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including MTBE.