A revolution has occurred within the water laboratory during the past 100 years. Analytical sensitivity has evolved from the milligram per litre range down to the nanogram and picogram per litre ranges as a result of sophisticated instrumentation. Until the lata 1960s, organic analyses were confined largely to the colorimetric determination of phenol and the use of carbon cartridges for the absorption of materials and the desorption with solvents for ultraviolet and Infrared spectral photometric Identification. The advent and refinement of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry opened up a new world of organic compounds along with associated problems and opportunities. A discussion of the problems and opportunities associated with such advances was moderated by Michael Taras of the AWWA Research Foundation at the 1979 Water Quality Technology Conference held in Philadelphia, Pa. Participants on the five‐member panel Included Eugene Bowers, water quality manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.; Sheila Quennell, laboratory manager. North Surrey Water Company, Middlesex, England; Thomas W. Knowlton, acting superintendent, Salem & Beverly Water Supply Board, Beverly, Mass.; A.T. Palin, consultant, Newcastle upon Tyne, England; and Kenneth L. Shull, vice president, Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, Bryn Mawr, Pa.