In light of the recent MTBE levels found in West Hempstead, which were above state standards, the Plainview Water District would like to remind the community that they vigilantly monitor local wells and they are free from this substance. Residents can be assured that the water district is taking every proactive measure to protect public health.

Regular testing for MTBE by the Plainview Water District and Nassau County Health Department commenced during April of 1998. As required by the New York State Health Department, wells have been tested quarterly. In wake of the situation in West Hempstead, we will now be conducting these tests monthly. In addition, the water district constructed an outpost early detection monitoring well system after gasoline spills were reported in 2000. This cluster of monitoring wells provide advanced warning should the MTBE plume brought on by these spills continue to move toward our supply wells at Plant 1.

The Plainview Water District has been proactive in urging federal and state lawmakers to ban MTBE. Legislation was signed into law during 2002 that required the phase out of MTBE in New York State on January 1, 2004. The legislation was passed by overwhelming margins in the Senate and Assembly. During the spring of 2003, Superintendent Granger testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on the use of MTBE and the adverse impact on drinking water supplies. Superintendent Granger urged the Senate subcommittee to swiftly ban the use of MTBE and preserve the legal rights of water suppliers and consumers so that the vast MTBE clean-up burden is not placed on taxpayers. At present, the New York State Health Department has established a 10 part per billion (ppb) drinking water standard (maximum contaminant level) concentration for MTBE in drinking water, the most restrictive in the nation.

For further information on MTBE and the drinking water supply, feel free to contact the Plainview Water District at 931-6469.