Materials used in drinking water distribution systems: contribution to taste-and-odor.

In order to assist drinking water utilities with identifying the possible sources and causes of taste-and-odor conditions associated with materials used in distribution systems, we evaluated information from case studies and a database from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), International. This database identified chemicals that had leached from drinking water system components during testing of materials under ANSI/NSF Standard 61, which provides information to water utilities on potential taste-and-odor and health concerns from the use of new materials. The data were arranged to provide a process for locating the potential source of a taste-and-odor event. After a sensory analysis is conducted on the drinking water samples, the descriptor can be matched with categories on the "Drinking Water Taste and Odor Wheel 2000" in order to suggest the candidate material.