The reduction of nitrate to nitrogen in aqueous solutions by means of catalytically active membranes has been investigated. A heterogeneous catalyst (Pd/Cu) has been incorporated in a microporous polyetherimide membrane. After saturation with hydrogen nitrate containing water was filtered through these membranes. The nitrate reduction was studied as a function of pH, volume flow and temperature. It could be demonstrated that the catalyst remained active in the polymer matrix. The calculated activation energy for nitrate reduction is indicating that the reaction is dominated by mass transfer and diffusion.