In addition to complying with established primary drinking water regulations, water utilities are increasingly faced with responding to emerging contaminants. While some of these emerging contaminants are included in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) new standards- setting process, other contaminants have more local or regional significance. East Bay Municipal Utility District (District) has established an approach to identify emerging contaminants of concern and to develop an effective response plan to control them. This paper illustrates the District's application of its systematic approach in responding to N-nitrosodimethyl amine (NDMA), a contaminant that is drawing regulatory attention and concern in California as a possible disinfection byproduct, with potential health impacts from exposure at the parts-per-trillion (nanograms per liter) level. The process relies on data-gathering and research projects to select those initiatives that most closely address specific District circumstances and most effectively utilize District resources. This paper discusses the steps that are included in this process: identifying contaminants of concern; prioritizing contaminants of concern; identifying/prioritizing research data gaps; research projects/studies; and, developing an action plan. Includes 7 references, tables, figures.