Nitrate in Potable Water Supplies: Alternative Management Strategies

Abstract

Nitrate contamination of drinking water sources has become one of the most important water quality concerns across the United States. Nitrate presents unique water treatment challenges and small water systems are particularly affected by the high costs of addressing nitrate impacted supplies. The goal of this investigation was to provide an overview of nitrate treatment options, highlighting the most recent advances and elucidating costs and common problems in application. No single treatment option is ideal for all situations; new technologies continue to be investigated to effectively remove nitrate while limiting cost and maximizing sustainability.