An internationally known test method for nitrite was applied torndetermine the anion in tap and river water samples. The method isrnbased on the reaction of nitrite with sulphanilamide in acidic mediumrnto form diazonium ion, which is then coupled with N-(1-napthyl)-rnethylendiamine dihydrochloride to form an azo dye, showingrnabsorption maximum at 540 nm. The method obeys Beer’s law in thernconcentration range 0.25 -1.5 μgmL-1of nitrite. The optimum reactionrnconditions and other analytical parameters were evaluated. Thernmethod was successfully applied to the determination of nitrite in taprnwater and river water samples.