VOCs & pesticides
MTBE in U.S. tap water
30 public water systems across 2 U.S. states report MTBE in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. None currently sit at or above the federal limit.
Within the federal limit (23)
MTBE by state
Every state where a public water system reports MTBE in its annual report, ranked by systems at or above the federal limit.
| State | Measuring | Over limit | Highest reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 29 | 0 | Not detected ug/L · Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency — Palmdale, Ca, CA |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 0 | Not detected ug/L · Lowell, MA |
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 Public health goal for MTBE is 13 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?
Zero of the 30 public water systems in The Water Map dataset currently report MTBE at or above its federal limit.
+Which states report the most MTBE in their drinking water?
No state currently has a system reporting MTBE at or above its federal limit in The Water Map dataset. California, Massachusetts have the most systems measuring it.
+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.