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Plumstead Resolution 2005-28 calling for ban of MTBE in Pennsylvania
Wawa's 90-day Site Characterization Status Report
Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE), a gasoline additive, has been found in some water wells in the Plumsteadville area. The main area of concern is near the intersection of Rte. 611 and Stump Rd. This has led to the installation of water treatment system devices on a number of private and non-community wells in order to remove MtBE pollution in affected wells. According to the Bucks County Department of Health, the Plumstead community water system is considered to be outside of the main area affected by MtBE.
On Thursday, August 18, 2005 a letter was sent to all water customers connected to the Cabin Run water system informing them that low levels of MtBE has been found in one of the Cabin Run wells. Initial results indicated an MtBE level which was well below the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) action level for MtBE pollution in ground water. The “action level” for MtBE is 20 ppb and, essentially, this means the PA DEP requires the initiation of water pollution remediation once this concentration is reached. Increased testing of the water source is occurring. The following are up-to-date test results and helpful links.
Cabin Run Water System MtBE Sampling Data
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7/26/2005 |
2.3 ppb |
non-detectable |
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8/2/2005 |
2.0 ppb |
non-detectable |
|
8/9/2005 |
4.5 ppb |
non-detectable |
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8/16/2005 |
1.8 ppb |
0.6 ppb |
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8/26/2005 |
1.6 ppb |
2.4 ppb |
| 8/30/2005 |
1.3 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 9/6/2005 |
1.1 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 9/14/2005 |
0.7 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 9/20/2005 |
0.7 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 9/27/2005 |
0.5ppb |
non-detectable |
| 10/4/2005 |
0.7 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 10/11/2005 |
1.3 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 10/18/2005 |
2.0 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 10/25/2005 |
2.2 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 11/2/2005 |
2.3 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 11/9/2005 |
2.1 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 11/16/2005 |
1.4 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 11/22/05 |
1.8 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 11/29/05 |
1.8 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 12/6/05 |
1.7 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 12/13/05 |
1.4 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 12/21/05 |
0.8 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 12/29/05 |
1.4 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 1/3/06 |
1.4 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 1/11/06 |
1.5 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 1/18/06 |
1.4 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 1/25/06 |
1.2 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 2/1/06 |
1.5 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 2/15/06 |
1.0 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 3/7/06 |
1.2 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 4/12/06 |
0.9 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 5/9/06 |
sample compromised - retesting |
non-detectable |
| 5/30/06 re-sample |
non-detectable |
|
| 6/14/06 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 7/11/06 |
0.8 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 8/14/06 |
0.8 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 9/14/06 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 10/11/06 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 11/8/06 |
0.5 ppb |
non-detectable |
| 12/6/06 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 1/18/07 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 2/20/07 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 5/9/07 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 8/22/07 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 11/05/07 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
| 2/21/08 |
non-detectable |
non-detectable |
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| NEXT SAMPLE |
DATE: 8/18/2008 |
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ppb = parts per billion
MtBE Sampling at Other Municipal Sites
| Location |
Sample Date |
Result |
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Township Building
5186 Stump Rd |
7/26/05 |
non-detectable |
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Public Works Bldg
5119 Stump Rd |
7/26/05 |
0.7 ppb |
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Township Building |
8/2/05 |
non-detectable |
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Public Works |
8/2/05 |
0.9 ppb |
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Township Building |
8/9/05 |
non-detectable |
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Public Works |
8/9/05 |
1.1 ppb |
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Township Building |
8/16/05 |
non-detectable |
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Public Works |
8/16/05 |
1.1 ppb |
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Country Greene system |
8/26/05 |
non-detectable |
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Summer Hill system |
8/26/05 |
non-detectable |
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Durham Ridge system |
8/26/05 |
non-detectable |
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North Branch system |
8/26/05 |
non-detectable |
|
Township Building |
8/30/05 |
non-detectable |
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Public Works |
8/30/05 |
1.0 ppb |
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Township Building |
9/6/05 |
non-detectable |
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Public Works |
9/6/05 |
1.0 ppb |
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Country Greene system |
9/7/05 |
non-detectable |
|
Township Building |
9/14/05 |
non-detectable |
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Public Works |
9/14/05 |
0.5 ppb |
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Country Greene system |
9/14/05 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene system |
9/20/05 |
| Country Greene system |
9/27/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Bldg. & Municipal Bldg |
9/27/05 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene system |
10/4/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Bldg. & Municipal Bldg |
10/11/05 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene system |
10/12/05 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene system |
10/18/05 |
non-detectable |
| Municipal Building |
10/25/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
10/25/05 |
1.0 ppb |
| Country Greene system |
10/25/05 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene system |
11/2/05 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene system |
11/9/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
11/9/05 |
1.7 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
11/9/05 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene system |
11/16/05 |
non-detectable |
| Municipal Building & Country Greene System |
11/22/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
11/22/05 |
1.7 ppb |
| Country Greene system |
11/29/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
12/6/05 |
1.8 ppb |
| Municipal Building & Country Greene System |
12/6/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
12/21/05 |
2.7 ppb |
| Municipal Building & Country Greene System |
12/21/05 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
1/3/06 |
2.3 ppb |
| Municipal Building & Country Greene System |
1/3/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
1/18/06 |
2.4 ppb |
| Country Greene System & Municipal Building |
1/18/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
2/1/06 |
3.0 ppb |
| Country Greene System & Municipal Building |
2/1/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
2/15/06 |
1.8 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
2/15/06 |
non-detectable |
| Country Greene System & Municipal Building |
3/7/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
3/7/06 |
2.2 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
4/12/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
4/12/06 |
1.7 ppb |
| Municipal Office |
5/9/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
5/9/06 |
1.7 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
6/14/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
6/14/06 |
2.3 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
7/11/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
7/11/06 |
2.2 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
8/14/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
8/14/06 |
1.7 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
9/14/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
9/14/06 |
1.3 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
10/11/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
10/11/06 |
1.3 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
11/8/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
11/8/06 |
1.2 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
12/6/06 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
12/6/06 |
1.2 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
1/18/07 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
1/18/07 |
1.1 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
2/20/07 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
2/20/07 |
1.3 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
5/9/07 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
5/9/07 |
2.0 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
8/22/07 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
8/22/07 |
1.1 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
11/5/07 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
11/5/07 |
1.7 ppb |
| Municipal Building |
2/21/08 |
non-detectable |
| Public Works Building |
2/21/08 |
1.4 ppb |
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| NEXT SAMPLE DATE: 8/18/2008 |
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What is Methyl tertiary butyl ether MtBE?
It is a member of a group of chemicals known as fuel oxygenates. Oxygenates are added to gasoline in several United States regions where the seasonal air quality is poor in order to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone pollution levels caused by auto emissions. Although personal sensitivity is a consideration, at low concentration levels, which range from about 20 ppb to 100 ppb MtBE, a taste can be detected by some consumers.
Why not shut down Well#3 and use only Well#2?
Well #3 is the primary source for the Cabin Run system and has a much higher production rate than Well #2, which is running at full production. If Well #3 was shut down, Well #2 could not meet consumption demands of the two housing developments.
Who gets their water from the Cabin Run wells?
The Cabin Run water system services both the Cabin Run and Landis Greene subdivisions. In addition, a few miscellaneous properties neighboring the area use public water from this system.
Private Well Owners
PA DEP has taken the lead on the testing of private wells for MtBE and has defined a well testing area. Please click here for DEP's August 23, 2005 update on well sampling. If you are outside of the sampling area and wish to have your well tested (at your expense), a list of certified drinking water laboratories is available on the PA DEP website.
More Information
Detailed information about MtBE can be found here:
Downloadable Documents (in PDF Format)
For additional questions about the health effects of MtBE, you may contact the Bucks County Health Department at 215-345-3318
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