A feasibility study was made on the use of neutron-activation analysis as a qualitative tool to produce water quality patterns that characterize aquifers. Two samples from the same aquifer and four reference samples were examined. The reference samples contained major and minor elements typically found in natural waters. Twelve elements were identified in the reference samples; eight elements were identified in the aquifer samples. No definitive comparisons resulted; however, examination of these data point out the validity of sample-handling techniques and the limitations of qualitative comparisons.