The purpose of SB 521 is to provide an evaluation of the risks of using MTBE in gasoline, and to ensure that the air, water quality, and soil impacts of the use of MTBE (if any) are fully mitigated. To this end, $500,000 would be allocated for a study of risks associated with MTBE, including: 

• MTBE leaking from storage tanks, watercraft and tankers 
• Levels of MTBE in public and private water systems, reservoirs, lakes and streams 
• Costs and effectiveness of treatment technologies to remove MTBE from surface and groundwater 
• Corrosive effects of MTBE on vehicle parts and storage tanks 
• Evaluation of the scientific peer-reviewed research and literature on the effects of MTBE. 

If the study indicates MTBE has significant risks, the director of the Department of Health Services shall take appropriate action to protect the public health and the environment. Nine million dollars in direct emergency grants to public water systems will be provided for monitoring surface and groundwater for MTBE in drinking water. 

SB 1189 (Drinking Water: Groundwater Wells: MTBE Contamination) 

This senate bill would only be operative if SB 521 is enacted. 

Requires the State Department of Health Services to establish primary and secondary drinking water standards for MTBE. 

It also would expand laws for petroleum pipeline inspection to include pipes within a one-mile radius of a well used for drinking water. 

It requires owners and operators to test for leaks in petroleum pipelines within 1,000 feet of a drinking water well and perform well tests for MTBE if leaks are detected. 

It would require underground storage tanks within a mile of a drinking water well to meet design and monitoring standards, and would evaluate alternative gasoline additives.  

Harrison Phipps is the recently appointed Executive Director of The Groundwater Resources Association of California.