Water contamination caused by gasoline permeating a polybutylene pipe

Investigation of a water quality complaint discovered contamination of the water supply by a gasoline leak into soil surrounding a polybutylene pipe. Purge and trap gas chromatography with electron capture detection confirmed the presence of 1,2-dibromoethane in the soil at concentrations 50 times greater than the limits set by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulations. Replacement of the polybutylene pipe with copper pipe cured the problem of taste and odour in the water supply.