Tahoe water district discuss contaminated wells

Monday, June 29, 1998 | 4:17 a.m.

Five wells were shut down indefinitely after concentrations of methyl tertiary butyl ether were discovered within the district's water system.

Officials fear more wells are threatened by MTBE, a fuel additive used since 1992 to improve air emissions in California.

District officials said the pollution stems from leaking underground storage tanks at several service stations.

But they also complain that little is being done to halt the problem.

Utility board directors will discuss options for dealing with the problem when they meet on Thursday.

archive