AWWA ACE59858

The overall objective of this project was to develop a user-friendly manual of step-by-step procedures for identifying types of particles in distribution system and tap waters. This paper presents a portion of the decision tree framework, which allows stepwise progress towards identification, and also further information to determine the significance and recommended action items to eliminate the matter from the water. The application of the decision tree and simple tests for qualitatively identifying an example particle (a chunk of black rubber gasket) are also presented. This paper focuses on simpler methods which are more widely available to the drinking water community, with the goal of providing a useful tool for small to medium sized water utilities. Includes 4 references, tables, figures.