TECHNICAL PAPERS
Apr 1, 1997

Nitrate Removal From Drinking Water—Review

Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 123, Issue 4

Abstract

Nitrate concentrations in surface water and especially in ground water have increased in Canada, the United States, Europe, and other areas of the world. This trend has raised concern because nitrates cause methemoglobinemia in infants. Several treatment processes including ion exchange, biological denitrification, chemical denitrification, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, and catalytic denitrification can remove nitrates from water with varying degrees of efficiency, cost, and ease of operation. Available technical data, experience, and economics indicate that ion exchange and biological denitrification are more acceptable for nitrate removal than reverse osmosis. Ion exchange is more viable for ground water while biological denitrification is the preferred alternative for surface water. This paper reviews the developments in the field of nitrate removal processes.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Adham, S. S., Jacangelo, J. G., and Laine, J.(1996). “Characteristics and costs of MF and UF plants.”J. AWWA, 88(5), 22–31.
2.
Andrews, D. A., and Harward, C.(1994). “Isleham ion-exchange nitrate removal plant.”J. Instr. of Water and Envir. Mgmt., 8, 120–127.
3.
Böckle, R., Rohmann, U., and Wertz, A.(1986). “A process for restoring nitrate contaminated groundwater by means of heterotrophic denitrification in an activated carbon filter and aerobic post-treatment underground.”Aqua, 5, 286–287.
4.
Bouchard, D. C., Williams, M. K., and Surampalli, R. Y.(1992). “Nitrate contamination of groundwater: sources and potential health effects.”J. AWWA, 84(9), 85–90.
5.
Bouwer, E. J., and Crowe, P. B.(1988). “Biological process in drinking water.”J. AWWA, 80(9), 82–93.
6.
Briskin, J. S.(1991). “Pesticides, nitrates found in US wells.”Chemical Engrg. News, (May), 46, 50.
7.
Burden, R. J.(1982). “Nitrate contamination of New Zealand Aquifers: a review.”New Zealand J. Sci., Wellington, New Zealand, 25, 205–220.
8.
Clifford, D., and Liu, X.(1993a). “Ion exchange for nitrate removal.”J AWWA, 85(4), 135–143.
9.
Clifford, D., and Liu, X.(1993b). “Biological denitrification of spent regenerant brine using a sequencing batch reactor.”Water Res., 27(9), 1477–1484.
10.
Clifford, D., and Weber Jr., W. J. (1978). “Nitrate removal from water supplies.”EPA-600/2-78-052, U.S. Envir. Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati, Ohio.
11.
Clifford, D., Lin, C., Horng, L., and Boegel, J. (1987). “Nitrate removal from drinking water in Glendale, Arizona.”EPA/600/52-86/107, U.S. Envir. Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati, Ohio.
12.
Croll, B. T. (1991). “Nitrate removal using ion-exchange: Brass corrosion considerations.”Institution of water and environmental management yearbook, London, England, 39–45.
13.
Croll, B. T., and Hayes, C. R.(1988). “Nitrate and water supplies in the United Kingdom.”Envir. Pollution, 50, 163–187.
14.
Dahab, M. F.(1987). “Treatment alternatives for nitrate contaminated groundwater supplies.”J. Envir. Sys., 17(1), 65–74.
15.
Dahab, M. F., and Lee, Y. W.(1988). “Nitrate removal from water supplies using biological denitrification.”J. Water Pollution Control Fedn., 60(9), 1670–1674.
16.
Dillon, P. J., Ragusa, S. R., and Richardson, S. B. (1991). “Biochemistry of a plume of nitrate-contaminated groundwater.”Nitrate contamination: exposure, consequence and control. I. Bogardi and R. D. Kuzelka, eds., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 173–180.
17.
Dore, M., Simon, P., Deguin, A., and Victot, J.(1986). “Removal of nitrate in drinking water by ion exchange—impact on the chemical quality of treated water.”Water Res., 20(2), 221–232.
18.
Dries, D., Liessens, J., Verstrate, W., Stevens, P., de Vos, P., and de Ley, J.(1988). “Nitrate removal from drinking water by means of hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers in a polyurethane carrier reactor.”Water Supply, 6, 181–192.
19.
Driscoll, C. T., and Bisogni, J. J.(1978). “The use of sulfur and sulfide in packed bed reactors for autotrophic denitrification.”J. Water Pollution Control Fedn., 50(3), 569–577.
20.
Eliassen, R., Wyckoff, B. M., and Tonkin, C. D.(1965). “Ion exchange for reclamation of reusable supplies.”J. AWWA, 57(9), 1113–1122.
21.
European Community. (1980). “Council directive of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption.”Official J. Eur. Community, Brussels, Belgium, 23(L229), 11–23.
22.
Faillat, J. P.(1990). “Sources of nitrates in fissure groundwater in the humid tropical zone—the example of Ivory Coast.”J. Hydrol., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 113, 231–264.
23.
Fletcher, I. J., Woodward, A. J., and Henwood, N. G.(1991). “Design and construction of an ion-exchange denitrification plant in South Staffordshire.”J. Inst. of Water and Envir. Mgmt., 5(5), 566–572.
24.
Frank, C., and Dott, W. (1985). “Nitrate-removal from drinking-water by biological denitrification.”Vom Wasser, Weinheim, Germany, 65, 287– 295.
25.
Fraser, P., Chilvers, C., Beral, V., and Hill, M. J.(1980). “Nitrate and human cancer: a review of the evidence.”Int. J. Epidemiology, 19(1), 3–11.
26.
Fried, J. J. (1991). “Nitrates and their control in EEC aquatic environment.”Nitrate contamination: exposure, consequency and control, I. Bogardi and R. D. Kuzelka, eds., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 3–11.
27.
Gauntlett, R. B.(1975). “Nitrate removal from water by ion exchange.”Water Treatment & Examination, 24, 172–193.
28.
Gauntlett, R. B., and Craft, D. G. (1979). “Biological removal of nitrate from river water.”Tech. Rep. TR 98, Water Res. Ctr., Medmenham, England.
29.
Gayle, B. P., Boardman, G. D., Sherreard, J. H., and Benoit, R. E.(1989). “Biological denitrification of water.”J. Envir. Engrg., ASCE, 115(5), 930–943.
30.
Gillham, R. W. (1991). “Nitrate contamination of groundwater in Southern Ontario and the evidence for denitrification.”Nitrate contamination: exposure, consequence and control, I. Bogardi and R. D. Kuzelka, eds., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 181–199.
31.
Gross, H., and Treuter, K.(1986). “Biological denitrification process with hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria for drinking water treatment.”Aqua, 5, 288–290.
32.
Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality, 5th Ed. (1993). Health and Welfare Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
33.
Guter, G. A. (1982). “Removal of nitrate from contaminated water supplies for public use.”EPA-600/S2-82-042, U.S. Envir. Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati, Ohio.
34.
Guter, G. A. (1987a). “Nitrate removal from contaminated water supplies. Volume 1. Design and initial performance of a nitrate removal plant.”EPA/600/S2-86/115, U.S. Envir. Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati, Ohio.
35.
Guter, G. A. (1987b). “Nitrate removal from contaminated water supplies. Vol: II.”EPA/600/S2-87/034, U.S. Envir. Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati, Ohio.
36.
Hagen, K., Höll, W., and Kretzschmar, W. (1986). “The CARIX;rm process for removing nitrate, sulfate and hardness from water.”Aqua, 5, 275–278.
37.
Harremoes, P., Jassen, J. L. C., and Kristensen, G. H.(1980). “Practical problems related to nitrogen bubble formation in fixed film reactors.”Prog. Water Technol., 12, 253–269.
38.
Hijnen, W. A. M., Koning, D., Kruithof, J. C., and Van der Kooij, D.(1988). “The effect of bacteriological nitrate removal on the concentration of bacterial biomass and easily assimilable organic carbon compounds in groundwater.”Water Supply, 6, 265–273.
39.
Hiscock, K. M., Lloyd, J. W., and Lerner, D. N.(1991). “Review of natural and artificial denitrification of groundwater.”Water Res., 25(9), 1099–1111.
40.
Hoek, J. P. van der, and Klapwijk, A.(1987). “Nitrate removal from groundwater.”Water Res., 21(8), 989–997.
41.
Hoek, J. P. van der, Hoek, W. F. van der, and Klapwijk, A. (1988a). “Nitrate removal from groundwater-use of a nitrate selective resin and a low concentrated regenerant.”Water Air and Soil Pollution, 37, 41–53.
42.
Hoek, J. P. van der, Ven, P. J. M. van der, and Klapwijk, A.(1988b). “Combined ion exchange/biological denitrification for nitrate removal from groundwater under different process conditions.”Water Res., 22(6), 679–684.
43.
Hoek, J. P. van der, Kappelhof, J. W. N. M., and Hijnen, W. A. M.(1992). “Biological nitrate removal from groundwater by sulphur/limestone denitrification.”J. Chemical Technol. and Biotechnol., 54(2), 197–200.
44.
Hoek, J. P. van der, Kappelhof, J. W. N. M., and Schippers, J. C.(1994). “The use of vacuum deaeration in biological removal processes.”Aqua, 43(2), 84–94.
45.
Höll, W. H., and Kretzschmar, W.(1988). “Combined nitrate and hardness elimination by the CARIX ion exchange process.”Water Supply, 6, 51–55.
46.
Hörold, S., Tacke, T., and Vorlop, K. D.(1993). “Catalytical removal of nitrate and nitrite from drinking water: 1: Screening for hydrogenation catalysts and influence of reaction conditions on activity and selectivity.”Envir. Technol., 14, 931–939.
47.
Kappelhof, J. W. N. M., van der Hoek, J. P., and Hijnen, W. A. M.(1992). “Experiences with fixed-bed denitrification using ethanol as substrate for nitrate removal from groundwater.”Water Supply, 10(3), 91–100.
48.
Knowles, R.(1982). “Denitrification.”Microbiological Rev., 46(1), 43–70.
49.
Kool, H. J. (1989). “Health risk in relation to drinking water treatment.”Biohazards of drinking water treatment, Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, Mich., 3–20.
50.
Korngold, E.(1973). “Removal of nitrates from potable water by ion exchange.”Water Air Soil Pollution, 2, 15–22.
51.
Kruithof, J. C.(1988). “Nitrate removal from ground water by sulphur/limestone filtration.”Water Supply, 6, 207–217.
52.
Kurt, M., Dunn, I. J., and Bourne, J. R.(1987). “Biological denitrification of drinking water using autotrophic organisms with H2 in a fluidized-bed biofilm reactor.”Biotechnol. Bioengrg., 24, 493–501.
53.
Lauch, R. P., and Guter, G. A.(1986). “Ion exchange for the removal of nitrate from well water.”J. AWWA, 78(5), 83–88.
54.
Lewandowski, I., Bakke, R., and Characklis, W. G.(1987). “Nitrification and autotrophic denitrification in calcium alginate beads.”Water Sci. Technol., 19, 175–182.
55.
Liessens, J., Germonpré, R., Beernaert, S., and Verstraete, W.(1993a). “Removing nitrate with a methylotrophic fluidized bed: technology and operating performance.”J. AWWA, 85(4), 144–154.
56.
Liessens, J., Germonpré, R., Kersters, I., Beernaert, S., and Verstraete, W.(1993b). “Removing nitrate with a methylotrophic fluidized bed: microbiological water quality.”J. AWWA, 85(4), 155–161.
57.
Marquardt, O. K.(1987). “Reverse osmosis process for removing nitrate from water.”Aqua, 1, 39–44.
58.
Mateju, V., Cizinska, S., Krejci, J., and Janoch, T.(1992). “Biological water denitrification—a review.”Enzyme Microbiol Technol., 14, 170–183.
59.
Matsui, S., and Yamamoto, R.(1986). “A new method of sulphur denitrification for sewage treatment by a fluidized bed reactor.”Water Sci. Technol., 18, 355–362.
60.
McCleaf, P. R., and Schroeder, E. D.(1995). “Denitrification using a membrane immobilized biofilm.”J. AWWA, 87(3), 77–86.
61.
Miquel, A. F., and Oldani, M. (1991). “A newly developed process for nitrate removal from drinking water.”Nitrate contamination: exposure, consequence and control, I. Bogardi and R. D. Kuzelka, eds., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 385–394.
62.
Montgomery, J. M. (1985). Water treatment principles and design. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y.
63.
Murphy, A. P.(1991). “Chemical removal of nitrate from water.”Nature, 350, 223–225.
64.
Nilsson, I., and Ohlson, S.(1982). “Columnar denitrification of water by immobilized pseudomonas denitrificans.”Eur. J. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 14, 86–90.
65.
“Nitrates: a question of time.” (1987). Water Quality Int., 1, 24–28.
66.
Nixon, N. (1992). “English water utility tackles nitrate removal.”Water/Engrg. Mgmt. 139(Mar.), 27–28.
67.
Philpot, J. M., and de Larminant, G.(1988). “Nitrate removal by ion exchange: the ecodenit process, and industrial scale facility at Binic (France).”Water Supply, 6, 45–50.
68.
Pontius, F. W.(1993). “Nitrate and cancer: is there a link.”J. AWWA, 85(4), 12–14.
69.
Rautenbach, R., Kopp, W., Hellekes, R., Peter, R., and van Opbergen, G.(1986). “Separation of nitrate from well water by membrane processes (reverse osmosis/electrodialysis reversal).”Aqua, 5, 279–282.
70.
Rautenbach, R., Kopp, W., Van Opbergen, G., and Hellekes, R.(1987). “Nitrate reduction of well water by reverse osmosis and electrodialysis—studies on plant performance and cost.”Desalination, 65, 241–258.
71.
Reising, A. R., and Schroeder, E. D.(1996). “Denitrification incorporating microporous membranes.”J. Envir. Engrg., ASCE, 122(7), 599–604.
72.
Richard, Y. R.(1989). “Operating experiences of full scale biological and ion-exchange denitrification plants in France.”J. Inst. Water Envir. Mgmt., 3, 154–167.
73.
Rittmann, B. E., and Huck, P. M.(1989). “Biological treatment of public water.”CRC Critical Rev. Envir. Control, 19(2), 119–184.
74.
Roennefahrt, K. W.(1986). “Nitrate elimination with heterotrophic aquatic microorganisms in fixed bed reactors with buoyant carriers.”Aqua, 5, 283–285.
75.
Rogalla, F., Ravarini, P., de Larminat, G., and Couttelle, J.(1990). “Large-scale biological nitrate and ammonia removal.”J. Inst. Water Envir. Mgmt., 4, 319–329.
76.
Rogalla, F., de Larminat, G., Couttelle, J., and Godart, H. (1991). “Experience with nitrate removal methods from drinking water.”Nitrate contamination: exposure, consequence and control, I. Bogardi and R. D. Kuzelka, eds., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 369–383.
77.
Ronen, D., and Magaritz, M.(1985). “High concentration of solutes at the upper part of the saturated zone (water table) of a deep aquifer under sewage-irrigated land.”J. Hydrol., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 80, 311–323.
78.
Schippers, J. C., Kruithof, J. C., Mulder, F. G., and van Lieshout, J. W.(1987). “Removal of nitrate by slow sulphur/limestone filtration.”Aqua, 5, 274–280.
79.
Soares, M. I. M., Belkin, S., and Abeliovich, A.(1988). “Biological groundwater denitrification: laboratory studies.”Water Sci. Technol., 20(3), 189–195.
80.
Sorg, T. J.(1978). “Treatment technology to meet the interim primary drinking water regulations for inorganics.”J. AWWA, 70(2), 105.
81.
Sova, R. J. (1986). “The chemical removal of nitrate from water supplies using ferrous sulfates and pickle liquor,” MS thesis, Univ. of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebr.
82.
Spalding, R. F., and Exner, M. E. (1991). “Nitrate contamination in the contiguous United States.”Nitrate contamination: exposure, consequence and control, I. Bogardi and R. D. Kuzelka, eds., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 13–49.
83.
Spalding, R. F., and Exner, M. E.(1993). “Occurrence of nitrate in groundwater—a review.”J. Envir. Quality, 22, 392–402.
84.
Terblanche, A. P. S.(1991). “Health hazards of nitrate in drinking water.”Water SA, 17(1), 77–82.
85.
Viraraghavan, T., and Rao, G. A. K. (1990). “Treatment processes for nitrate removal from water.”Proc., 42nd Annu. Convention of the Western Canada Water and Wastewater Assn., Regina, Sask., Canada, 137–160.
86.
Wenli, G., Wensheng, H., and Höll, W. H.(1994). “Combined nitrate and hardness elimination from drinking water by the CARIX process.”J. Water SRT—Aqua, 43(2), 95–101.
87.
Wild, A.(1977). “Nitrate in drinking water: health hazard unlikely.”Nature, 268, 197–198.
88.
Woodward, A. J. (1994). “Removing nitrates from potable water.”Institution of water and environmental management yearbook. London, England, 39–45.
89.
World Health Organization. (1972). “Health hazards of human environment.”Monograph, Switzerland, Geneva, 247.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 123Issue 4April 1997
Pages: 371 - 380

History

Published online: Apr 1, 1997
Published in print: Apr 1997

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Anoop Kapoor
Doctoral Student, Facu. of Engrg., Univ. of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2.
T. Viraraghavan, Fellow, ASCE
Prof., Facu. of Engrg., Univ. of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share