A New York jury has found Exxon-Mobil Corporation liable for contaminating the groundwater by using a gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). Exxon will have to pay the city $104,700.
In its lawsuit against Exxon-Mobil, the city of New York alleged that the oil company had ignored its own scientists when they warned the company not to use MTBE in areas where the groundwater also serves as drinking water. The groundwater contamination case involved six wells in Queens that provide the city with drinking water. MTBE has been banned by 20 states, including New York.
Reacting to the jury award the mayor of New York warned other polluters, “Our water supply is one of our most vital resources–and we will work to protect it and go after those who damage it,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.