Nitrate in drinking water and their efficient removal from water

Groundwater is the main source of portable water in many regions of the world. Contamination of groundwater is a severe problem affecting people at large. One of the most common contaminant; nitrate when present at high concentration in water is a priority concern. This review presents the sources, effects and removal technologies applied for nitrate in drinking water. Literature study revealed enormous information on the nitrate contamination of water. Nitrate can come from fertilizer application, municipal wastewater and sludge disposal, septic systems, refuse dumps, urban drainage, animal feedlots and decaying plant debris. Exposure to nitrate in concentrations over the 45mg/l Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA) has been associated with a condition called methemoglobenemia or "blue-baby syndrome" in infants six months of age and younger. Nitrate also represents a potential risk of carcinogenicity in animals.