The overall objective of this project is 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.