Amidst recent reports detailing the negative impact methyl tertiary butyl ether (M.T.B.E.) , a chemical added to gasoline, can have on groundwater, the Board of Commissioners for the Plainview Water District recently announced that no levels of M.T.B.E. have been found in any of the district's supply wells. However, the board emphasized that the continued utilization of M.T.B.E. in reformulated gasoline, which contains additives to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions, should be a concern of all water purveyors throughout the country. According to Commissioner Joel Kessler, water providers are concerned about M.T.B.E. because it is extremely difficult to remove M.T.B.E. with traditional methods of air stripping and GAC filtration, once the compound contaminates groundwater.

"We have just completed another series of tests to determine whether M.T.B.E. has affected our water supply and I can assure our consumers that there were no traces of the chemical in our water," stated Commissioner Bernard Chetkof. "My fellow commissioners and I strongly oppose the utilization of M.T.B.E. and we are doing everything in our power to have the chemical banned. Earlier this year, Paul Granger, the water district's superintendent, joined New York State Senator Carl Marcellino and Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli in their efforts to ban M.T.B.E. We will continue to monitor our wells for this dangerous chemical, as well as continue our correspondence with the appropriate governmental agencies."

Commissioner Sam Panciroli added, "We contacted the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and asked them for additional information on any M.T.B.E. spills within our area. It is imperative that the water district be informed of these spills as soon as they are reported, so we can take the necessary steps to ensure that our water remains at the high quality our residents have come to expect."