This study examined firsthand how utilities are currently utilizing and supporting online instruments and has developed guidelines for utilities to consider in their online monitoring program. Presented here are some of the preliminary results from the national survey that was conducted on online instrument uses, and the preliminary results of field data collected at case study utilities for chlorine residual analyzers. Uses of online monitoring data are increasing at water utilities, demanding high quality data collected over short intervals to support such activities as treatment plant automation, operator notifications, forecasting treatment needs, and early warning of potential water quality challenges. Includes tables, figures.