A gasoline additive banned in New York years ago could have found its way back into Long Island drinking water, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The DEC found MTBE, the potentially cancer-causing additive, made it within 800 feet of a Ronkonkoma Getty gas station after a recent oil spill. The additive was headed for a drinking well, the agency says.

The DEC says the owner of the Ronkonkoma station did an on-site investigation but refused to completely investigate the contamination until the agency stepped in. The spill could cost up to $1.5 million to clean up.

The DEC study also reveals there have been 32 gas spills at Long Island gas stations the agency wasn?t aware of.

The state health department, which monitors the water supply for MTBE says it is confident in the quality and safety of Long Island water.

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