Review Article Volume 22 Issue 2 - 2026

Microbiology of Drinking Water Systems: Contemporary Perspectives on Pathogen Detection, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Public Health Challenges

Anirima KP and Bhattacharyya S*

Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata, India

*Corresponding Author: Bhattacharyya S, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata, India.
Received: October 21, 2025; Published: January 23, 2026



The microbiological safety of drinking water remains a critical public health priority worldwide. Coliforms in drinking water pose public health challenges in developing countries. This comprehensive review examines the complex microbial ecology of drinking water systems, emerging pathogenic threats, detection methodologies, and current challenges in water quality management. Recent advances in molecular techniques have revolutionized our understanding of water microbiology, revealing diverse microbial communities and novel pathogens that conventional methods fail to detect. This article synthesizes current knowledge on bacterial, viral, and parasitic contaminants, antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments, and the impact of treatment processes on microbial populations.

 Keywords: Drinking Water; Coliforms; Multiple Tube Test

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Anirima KP and Bhattacharyya S. “Microbiology of Drinking Water Systems: Contemporary Perspectives on Pathogen Detection, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Public Health Challenges”. EC Microbiology  22.2 (2026): 01-11.