Microbial Contamination of Water Bodies: Isolation and Biochemical Identification of Salmonella and Vibrio spp.

Abstract Water-borne pathogens such as Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus pose significant public health risks. Contamination of water bodies by industrial, agricultural, and domestic waste, along with improper disposal practices, facilitates the introduction of these harmful bacteria. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize these pathogens from diverse water sources, including a River, Lake (Varaldevi), Khadi (Kasheli), and Pond water (Bhiwandi). Water samples were collected from various locations and analyzed using culture techniques, selective media, and biochemical assays for preliminary identification. Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were successfully isolated and confirmed through biochemical assays from the river, lake, sea, and wastewater samples, respectively