To gather background information on the relationship of turbidity to chlorine demand and the effects of storage time on turbidity of water samples, 160 raw water samples were examined. The effects of total organic carbon (TOC), volatiles, suspended solids, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, inorganics, and particle size on chlorine demand were also studied. The raw water samples were filtered, and chlorine demand tests were performed on raw water, filtrate, and residue. Eighty-nine of the samples were also examined over a one-week period to determine the stability of the turbidity values over one, three, and seven days. Study results indicated that the correlation between chlorine demand and turbidity is not strong and turbidity cannot be used as an accurate indicator for chlorine demand. Because 90 percent of the demand remains in the filtrate, the chemical nature of the water exerts the disinfection demand. A strong relationship exists between turbidity and suspended solids. Volatile content in residues has a strong correlation to turbidity and a positive correlation to TOC in the residues. TOC has a strong relationship to demand and occurs largely in the filtrate. If any demand is exerted by the particulate matter, it is the nature, not the size, of the particles that is responsible for demand. Because the data indicate changes in turbidity occur during storage of samples, analyses should be done at the time and site of collection to ensure accuracy of turbidity readings. Includes 11 references, tables, figure.