Water can be polluted by nitrates from agriculture.
Nitrates have to removed before water is safe for human consumption and can harm the water environment.
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones are areas where groundwaters have nitrate concentrations of more than 50 mg/l nitrate or are thought to be at risk of nitrate contamination.
The Scottish Government has established Action Programmes in order to reduce and prevent further nitrate contamination.
Further information on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones