Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a process that subjects river water to ground passage prior to its use as a drinking water supply. European experiences with RBF coupled with recent US experiences, demonstrate that during infiltration and underground transport, processes such as filtration, sorption, and biodegradation produce significant improvements in raw water quality. Increased applications of RBF are anticipated as drinking water utilities strive to meet increasingly stringent regulations, especially with regard to the provision of multiple barriers for protection against microbial pathogens such as Giardia, and Cryptosporidium, and with regard to anticipated tightening of regulations for disinfection byproducts (DBPs) such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). This paper describes a project with two primary goals: to evaluate the merits of riverbank filtration for removing/controlling DBP precursors; and, to evaluate whether RBF can improve finished drinking water quality by altering natural organic matter (NOM) in a manner that is not otherwise accomplished through conventional drinking water treatment. The project consists of three studies that monitor the performance of three riverbank filtration systems along the Ohio, Wabash, and Missouri Rivers. Includes 9 references, table, figure.