Ten monometallic and 13 bimetallic catalysts supported on activated carbon were assessed, the former in the reduction of nitrate or nitrite and the latter in the nitrate reduction. Under the conditions used, nitrite was shown to be reduced by monometallic catalysts. With exception of Ru, only some of the bimetallic catalysts were able to reduce nitrate. Rh-Cu shows the highest conversion, but Pd-Cu is the most promising catalyst if selectivity into nitrogen is also considered.