MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT (HRI) OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS IN WELL WATER IN RURAL BABIL GOVERNORATE (2025-2026)

The aim of this research is to study and understand the environmental and health status of groundwater in rural areas of Babylon Governorate in the period (2025-2026). The results indicated that water quality decreased and was unsuitable for direct human consumption because of the high level of microbial and parasitic contamination found in the field and laboratory. Bacteriological survey showed that the predominant bacteria isolated were enteric pathogens (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) with high levels of multidrug resistance (MDR) and thus a huge challenge to the health care system. Aquatic ecosystem proved to be an important reservoir for the dissemination of resistance genetic factors between strains by molecular detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showing its diagnostic accuracy to track and detect specific resistance genes (blaTEM, tetA, sul1). Microscopic examination also found the encysted stages of the parasites Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum, which further enhances the risk of outbreaks of acute enteritis. The severity of the results is in the Health Risk Index (HRI) values which were above the international exposure limit in all of the study areas, and children had the highest exposure rates. There is a direct and continuous risk to the health and safety of the local population. The authors of this study suggest the need to implement periodic environmental monitoring of well water, molecular testing as an early warning system, the required use of home water filtration technologies, and the need to set up an engineered buffer zone that protects water sources from contamination by absorption pits and agricultural wastes for the protection of public health based on these data.