Untreated wastewater poses significant risks to ecosystems due to its high nutrient and organic matter content (Collins et. al., 2018). Its discharge into water bodies is a growing global concern, as it can lead to the transmission of antibiotic-resistant and disinfectant-tolerant bacteria, posing a severe threat to human health. Additionally, the use of untreated wastewater-contaminated irrigation water can introduce bacterial contaminants to soil and plants, thereby posing a risk of transmission to humans through the consumption of contaminated raw food.
To address the lack of information on the microbial quality of irrigation water in Kosovo, this project focuses on assessing the microbial contamination of irrigation water (river and well sources) used by farmers in five vegetable-growing locations, particularly in areas vulnerable to untreated wastewater discharge. Furthermore, the project aims to elucidate the relationship between irrigation water, irrigated soil, and pepper samples to gain a better understanding of potential bacterial transmission pathways.