Issue #1 - MBTE has been found in private well water in Assonet.

A resident of Assonet had thier well water tested and the results have come back positive for MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether)by a state certified lab. The MTBE testing higher then the DEP Limit. What possibly caused this is unknown at the present time. There is an investigation into two possible causes for the contaminant which right now is just speculation.

If you’re a resident of Assonet or Freetown and are on a private well it is highly recommended you test your water for VOCs every year by a state certified lab. For questions on testing your well water you may find the answers by clicking here.

Possible cause #1 for MTBE in well water.

Shell oil partially released easements of pipelines on October 14th, 1987. (See Book 1933 Page 21 PDF 56KB). There may be pipe lines or lines, a valve box 6 feet by 6 foot in size (See Book No. 493 Page 81 PDF 1.2MB). The deed states that Shell Oil Company, Incorporated has a valve box and easement and right, from time to time, to construct, operate, maintain, inspect, repair, replace and remove a Valve Box, six (6) feet by six (6) foot in size, and Valves located therein, as an accessory or and appurtenant to Grantee's pipe line or lines, in the Town of Freetown, County of Bristol, Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

It goes on to describe in the deed from the Fall River Registry of Deeds (See Book No. 435 Page 63 PDF 484KB) the pipe lines would be used for the transportation of oil, gas, petroleum products, water, and other substances, with free ingress and egress to construct, operate, maintain and, from time to time, inspect, alter, replace, repair and remove the same.

It is just speculation that the pipes may be leaking MTBE. An investigation into this is underway. To find out more about this please attend the next meeting, which will address this issue as well as many others that impact the residents of Assonet and Freetown:

MTBE was produced from 1986-2004. (History of MTBE PDF).

What is MTBE?

MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is a synthetic chemical that is added to gasoline to improve air quality as part of the Clean Air Act (CAA). MTBE is usually added to Reformulate Gasoline (RFG), oxygenated fuel and premium grades of unleaded gasoline.

Possible cause #2 for MTBE in well water.

Possible contaminants that may have leaked into the ground included the following:

Gas tanks
Junk cars
Old tires and inner tubes
Other items

Violations of several by-laws have been broken by a resident in Assonet, MA.


Below is a list of by-laws being broken in a residential zone on a grandfathered property:


Article 11.8 (E) Violation of By-laws
Article 11.8 (D) Enforcement

Article 11 Zoning By-laws

Article 11.14 Private or Commercial Dump
Article 11.20 Signs (B) Purpose and Scope

Issue #1 MBTE I Issue #2 By-law Violations

Resources I Contact