Here in CA we have a huge ...

Here in CA we have a huge problem with high levels of nitrogen in groundwater and surface water from fertilizer runoff into our lakes, rivers and reservoirs causing massive algal blooms that impair water used for potable and non-potable uses. From my professional experience as an Environmental Engineer dealing with high levels of nitrogen in groundwater for construction dewatering projects my firm works on for treatment for non-potable uses discharging into rivers, bays and estuaries we use selective ion exchange resins for treatment.

While it is true that ion exchange resins do require a bit more maintenance and need to be monitored closely and changed out/serviced quite a bit especially when dealing with groundwater with elevated nitrogen concentrations in the influent, using denitrification for treatment is always too prohibitively expensive for most clients. So while I know the process of denitrification and the importance of using it for groundwater treatment using for drinking potable uses, I do not have any professional experience using it in projects yet. I hope to gain some experience using it soon though like ion exchange resins it does have its advantages and limitations as well that need to be assessed based on the application, feasibility and cost.

Thanks for sharing a very valid and timely issue here in CA and all over the US and world with protecting waterbodies from excessive nitrogen causing eutrophication and serious impairment of water body beneficial uses.