Oct. 20, 2009 (United Press International) -- A federal jury in Manhattan says Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) must pay $150 million to New York City for contaminating its drinking water.

The verdict came Monday after the city sued the oil company, alleging it and others owed it for costs incurred while removing a dangerous gasoline additive from drinking wells in the borough of Queens, The New York Post reported.

City attorneys contended that Exxon did not heed scientific warnings that the additive MBTE should not be used in neighborhoods that tap groundwater for drinking purposes. The Queens drinking wells had been set aside for emergencies, the Post said.

Some 22 other companies settled with the city earlier.

The newspaper said MBTE has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as potential carcinogen.

The company reportedly claimed it was not the source of the Queens contamination and indicated it was considering its legal options.