The standard methods committee for the 1990 edition of Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater has decided to consider adding a new (provisional) method for the sensory analysis of drinking water - Flavor profile analysis (FPA). A series of issues must be addressed before FPA can become a standard method. The methodology (e.g., temperature of aroma samples, sniffing technique, use of cups vs. flasks, rest intervals between samples, maximum number of samples examined per session) must be standardized. Reference standards for odors must be developed and implemented in order to achieve consistent odor quality descriptions. Development of a flavor wheel can help aid the classification and identification of odors.