Sixty-Minutes television program ran a piece on the contamination of GROUND water supplies by the gasoline additive MTBE (Methyl Tert-butyl Ether) a gasoline additive which enters the water table from leaking underground fuel tanks.

Our Water Plant has received a few calls from worried residents. Our water supply comes from Lake Michigan and is not at risk from this chemical. It is only an issue in places where drinking water comes from wells which are at risk of contamination from nearby fuel spills or from leaking underground tanks. Should the fuel and MTBE reach the aquiver (water vein in the ground) into which a well is tapped, contamination of the water occurs. You may be reassured that this problem does not impact our water supply.

Contact Information
As always, residents who desire additional information may call the Water Plant at (847) 433-4355.

Additional information.