Removal of nitrates from drinking water by catalytic hydrogenation over ZSM-5 supported Pt-Cu catalysts was studied. Bimetallics Pt-Cu were prepared by ion exchange of copper on a parent monometallic platinum catalyst. Monometallic platinum catalysts are inactive for nitrate reduction, while Pt-Cu bimetallic catalysts are active for nitrate removal. In the bimetallic catalyst, the role of copper is probably to reduce nitrate according to a redox reaction. The addition of copper to Pt catalysts decreases the production of ammonium ions.