3167 EI literature review. Biofuels - potential risks to UK water resources

Overview:

It is widely recognised that the use of biofuels for road transport in the UK and throughout the world is increasing. Decisions concerning the use and management of new fuel components must be underpinned by a sound understanding of the potential risks. Experience in the US with the fuel component methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) has served to highlight that understanding risks to groundwater is of particular issue.

The project was commissioned with the aim of producing a review of available information on road transport fuels and to assess the potential impacts that the storage, transportation and use of biofuels could have on groundwater resources in the UK. It is intended that the information within this review could be used by decision makers in industry and government to make informed judgments on the potential risks to groundwater posed by certain biofuels.