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Document ID ca-bc-awqgmteor-2001-07-06 Title Ambient Water Quality Guidelines for Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) Overview Report URL unknown Jurisdiction /ca/bc Subdomain(s) Drinking water, Wastewater, Industrial water, Agricultural water Language en Status completed Analyzed at 2026-03-15 09:17:03.963303+00:00 Relevance Provides numeric MTBE guidelines for drinking water and discharge permits.

Q Qualitative Requirements (2)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Context Conditions Confidence
#Q001administrativeoperationalrecommendedSite-specific study for continuously renewed MTBEdrinking water, aquatic life, agricultural water, recreational waterCare must be exercised when the water quality guidelines are applied to assess environmental impacts of MTBE, since there may be situations where MTBE concentrations are continuously renewed (e.g., discharge from an industrial operation). In these types of situations, a site-specific study should be undertaken and appropriate site-specific water quality objectives developed based on species present and actual MTBE persistence and concentrations.Situations where MTBE concentrations are continuously renewed (e.g., discharge from an industrial operation).high
#Q002administrativeoperationalmandatorySite-specific impact studies for less stringent objectivesdrinking water, aquatic life, agricultural water, recreational waterIn some cases, socioeconomic or other factors may justify objectives which are less stringent than the guidelines. Site-specific impact studies would be required in such cases.When socioeconomic or other factors justify setting water quality objectives that are less stringent than the guidelines.high

P Quantitative Requirements (10)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Limit Type Limit Value Context Conditions Confidence
#P001chemicalaestheticguidelineMTBEdrinking waterMAC<= 0.02 mg / LRaw Drinking Water (aesthetics)high
#P002chemicalaestheticguidelineMTBErecreational waterMAC<= 0.02 mg / LRecreation and Aestheticshigh
#P003chemicalhealthguidelineMTBEagricultural waterMAC<= 11.0 mg / LLivestock WateringConcentrations above the taste and odour thresholds that are below the livestock guideline may result in certain livestock avoiding water.high
#P004chemicalhealthguidelineMTBEaquatic lifeMAC<= 3.4 mg / LAquatic Life (freshwater)high
#P005chemicalhealthguidelineMTBEaquatic lifeMAC<= 0.44 mg / LAquatic Life (marine, estuarine)high
#P006chemicalaestheticguidelineMTBEdrinking waterAO<= 0.02 mg/LRaw Drinking Water SupplyBased on taste and odour thresholds; no adverse health effects expected at this concentration.high
#P007chemicalaestheticguidelineMTBErecreational waterAO<= 0.02 mg/LRecreationAesthetic thresholds for drinking water are applied to waters used for primary-contact recreation.high
#P008chemicalhealthguidelineMTBEaquatic lifeMAC<= 3.4 mg/LFresh Water Aquatic LifeInterim guideline based on a 100-fold safety factor applied to the lowest LC50 of 340 mg/L (Ceriodaphnia dubia).high
#P009chemicalhealthguidelineMTBEaquatic lifeMAC<= 0.44 mg/LMarine and Estuarine Aquatic LifePreliminary guideline based on a 100-fold safety factor applied to the lowest LC50 of 44 mg/L (Mysidopsis bahi).high
#P010chemicalhealthguidelineMTBEagricultural waterMAC<= 11.0 mg/LLivestock WateringPreliminary guideline based on dairy cattle; concentrations above aesthetic thresholds may cause reduced water intake.high

D Definitions (8)

Req ID Category Name Context Confidence
#D001MTBEMethyl Tertiary-Butyl Etherhigh
#D002guidelineA maximum and / or a minimum value for a physical, chemical or biological characteristic of water, sediment or biota, which should not be exceeded to prevent specified detrimental effects from occurring to a water use, including aquatic life, under specified environmental conditions.high
#D003objectivesthe guidelines modified or adopted to protect the most sensitive designated water use in a particular body of waterhigh
#D004CCMECanadian Council for Ministers of the Environmenthigh
#D005US EPAUnited States Environmental Protection Agencyhigh
#D006persistent variablea variable that has an extended biodegradation half-lifehigh
#D007ambient water quality guidelinessafe conditions or levels that have province-wide application and are set to protect various water useshigh
#D008ambient water quality objectivesthe guidelines modified or adopted to protect the most sensitive designated water use in a particular body of waterhigh