Abstract: A process for removing urea from water, the concentration of urea in the feed water being less than 1 ppm, the process comprising the steps of adding a nitrite ion to the water and of then passing the water through a strong cation exchange resin in an ion exchange column. The molar ratio of nitrite to urea is preferably between 50 and 1500. The urea reacts with the nitrite to form dissolved nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases, and ammonium. The ammonium is removed in the ion exchange column. There may be two columns in series. The nitrite may be added in the form of a sodium nitrite salt, nitrous acid, or nitrogen dioxide gas. The excess of nitrite present in the treated water may be removed with an anion exchange resin, by reaction with an oxidant, or with a reverse osmosis treatment step. Regeneration of the column is triggered by a measurement of the pH or of the conductivity and is conducted with an acidic solution.