MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) in groundwaters: monitoring results from Germany

In Germany information on the occurrence of MTBE in groundwaters is scarce. In order to assess the German situation, in 1999 a monitoring programme on MTBE in groundwater was set up. Within this survey 170 wells were examined, which are used as groundwater monitoring points or which are foreseen for drinking water extraction in emergency cases or for irrigation purposes. In rural areas MTBE was found only in 9% of all samples in concentrations above the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.05 microg L(-1). In urban areas MTBE was detected in 49% of all wells under investigation and the median concentration was calculated to 0.17 microg L(-1). In one case a maximum MTBE concentration of almost 700 microg L(-1) was detected. As a first result of this survey one can conclude, that MTBE is regularly present in German groundwaters under urban areas. Although investigations about the occurrence of MTBE in German groundwaters have to be extended in future, this first snapshot can lead to the assumption, that MTBE concentrations due to diffuse sources are lower than the ones found in the USA. Nevertheless, e.g. accidental spills can lead to elevated MTBE concentrations.