The application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in the field of environmental and water resources
modelling has become increasingly popular since early 1990s. Despite the recognition of the need for a
consistent approach to the development of ANN models and the importance of providing adequate
details of the model development process, there is no systematic protocol for the development and
documentation of ANN models. In order to address this shortcoming, such a protocol is introduced in this
paper. In addition, the protocol is used to critically review the quality of the ANN model development
and reporting processes employed in 81 journal papers since 2000 in which ANNs have been used for
drinking water quality modelling. The results show that model architecture selection is the best
implemented step, while greater focus should be given to input selection considering input independence
and model validation considering replicative and structural validity.