[Nitrate concentrations in tap water in Spain]

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Water Quality Analysis

Background:

• Nitrate contamination in drinking water is a public health concern.
• Monitoring water quality is crucial for ensuring safe consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nitrate concentrations in public drinking water across Spain.
• To evaluate compliance with safe drinking water standards.

Main Methods:

• Ion chromatography was employed for nitrate analysis.
• 324 water samples were collected from 108 Spanish municipalities (population > 50,000).
• Sampling occurred between January and April 2012.

Main Results:

• The median nitrate concentration was 3.47 mg/L (range: 0.38-66.76 mg/L).
• 94% of municipalities had nitrate levels below 15 mg/L.
• Only 3 municipalities exceeded 25 mg/L, and one exceeded 50 mg/L.

Conclusions:

• Most public drinking water supplies in Spain meet safety standards for nitrate.
• The majority of the Spanish population (nearly 50%) is supplied with water containing less than 15 mg/L of nitrate.