LIFE-NITRAZENS: Supporting Nitrate Governance through Citizen Science and Open Access to Nitrate Dat

Nitrate contamination of surface water and groundwater represents a major environmental and public health challenge across many European regions. For water intended for human consumption, European regulations establish a parametric limit of 50 mg/L for nitrates, highlighting the importance of providing accessible, up-to-date, and understandable information on water quality.

In this context, the European project LIFE-NITRAZENS (Supporting Nitrate Governance through Citizen-Engaging Tools), coordinated by the University of Burgos and funded by the European Union's LIFE Programme, aims to improve environmental monitoring and nitrate pollution governance through active citizen participation and shared access to environmental information.

One of the project's main pillars is the implementation of a citizen science strategy that enables local communities to participate directly in water sampling and nitrate monitoring. This participatory approach seeks to expand knowledge of water quality, raise environmental awareness, and strengthen the connection between scientific research and local communities.

In parallel, LIFE-NITRAZENS will develop a digital platform for sharing and visualising nitrate data, integrating information from multiple sources and making it accessible to citizens, researchers, public authorities, and other stakeholders. This platform is intended to promote transparency, facilitate access to environmental information, and support evidence-based decision-making.

The project is being implemented in pilot areas within the Duero and Ebro river basins in Spain, with a replication strategy targeting the Mondego River basin in Portugal.

By combining citizen science, innovative technological tools, and open access to environmental information, LIFE-NITRAZENS aims to establish a participatory and transferable model for water quality monitoring, contributing to improved water resource protection and greater public engagement in environmental conservation.