5.1 Many materials that come into contact with drinking water have the potential of impacting the aesthetic quality of the water. Some of these diverse materials include: storage reservoirs, concrete or metal piping, or both, sealants, synthetic reservoir covers and liners, mending adhesives, gaskets, paints, and plastics. Though NSF Standard 61 provides testing for health effects, it does not address taste and odor implications. A Utility Quick Test, Ref (1),4 has been proposed, but has not been adopted as an official test standard. Taste and odor problems have been reported as a result of organic compounds leaching from approved materials into water. Materials only need to be tested if they come into direct contact with drinking water.

1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring odor and flavor properties of new products which may come into direct contact with municipal drinking water. For this method, “drinking water” will be considered water from the source (for example, river, lake, reservoir) through the municipal distribution system (that is, not including in-home or in-business taps). The focus of this test method is the evaluation of the materials in terms of their potential to transfer odors, flavors, or both to water.

1.2 This test method provides sample preparation procedures, methods of sensory evaluation, and a process for interpretation of results.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. All materials that come into contact with drinking water are required to be approved through testing by accredited laboratories using NSF/ANSI Standard 61. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.