Nitrate Monitoring Safeguards Drinking Water Quality in Italy

In Parma, a city in the Po Valley surrounded by farmland, nitrate contamination has been a recurring issue. Fertilizer use in the area sometimes causes nitrate levels in groundwater to exceed the 50 mg/L limit set by Council Directive 91/676/EEC, which regulates pollution from agricultural sources.

To address this, IRETI needed a dependable way to monitor nitrate concentrations in real time. The goal was to detect unusual levels quickly and take immediate action to protect public health.

Smarter Monitoring for Safer Water

After testing several water quality monitoring tools, IRETI installed a long-term system that would track nitrate (NO₃), chlorine dioxide and temperature levels continuously.

IRETI’s con::cube control unit manages up to 64 parameters for comprehensive online water analysis.

The setup includes several products from the BlueEdge™ suite of solutions, including the spectro::lyser V3 probe for nitrate measurement and the chlodi::lyser sensor for monitoring chlorine dioxide. Both connect to IRETI’s existing con::cube V3 IoT control unit, which manages up to 64 parameters for comprehensive online water analysis.

A dedicated software platform integrates data from these sensors, giving operators a full view of water quality across the network. It also supports IRETI’s Water Safety Plan (WSP), meeting EU and Italian regulations for safe drinking water.

"The spectro::lyser V3 probe has positively amazed us with its accuracy and stability. This has granted such a dependable and safe online measurement, which makes the frequent discrepancies we used to have by comparing instruments’ data to lab values dissolve," said Valentino Piramide, Manager of Emilia Region at IRETI S.p.A.

The diagram above shows the change in NO3 measurement data for one week. Online monitoring with the spectro::lyser V3 allows the utility to take immediate countermeasures when needed.

Reliable Data, Faster Response

The monitoring system provides continuous, 24-hour oversight of water quality, making it easy to react when nitrate levels rise. High-frequency measurements deliver precise, real-time insights, while automatic brush cleaning minimizes maintenance and reduces operating costs.

With instant access to accurate data, IRETI can act quickly to prevent contamination and keep drinking water safe for the communities it serves.