The incident of the foam at Wheeling, West Virginia and the subsequent findings strongly point to the need for additional research on the effects of detergents on streams used as a source for water supplies. More suitable analytical methods need to be developed. Methods for treating waters containing these materials at the water plant have not been sufficiently studied. Great variability may exist in the persistence in water of detergent material and the allied compounding agents used in commercial formulations. Disruption of normal water treatment processes by such materials is cause for concern. (Author)