Monitoring nitrates in drinking water with a portable reflectometer Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • The maximum admissible concentration (MAC) of nitrate in drinking water is 50 mg/l (EEC, 1991). This limit was established because of the toxicity of nitrate/nitrite to human health, though the discussion about the acceptable daily intake of nitrate persists (Boink and Speijers, 2001). Bragança is a rural district of the NE Portugal with a significant part of its population dispersed among little villages with 50 to 500 inhabitants. Despite practically the whole territory having a public supply of piped potable water many people prefer Lo collect the water for drinking from old fountains of local and shallow captation of water, perhaps to avoid the taste of chlorine.

publication date

  • January 1, 2002