One Health-related risk factors and seasonal variations in zoonotic bacteriological contamination of livestock water sources

Water contamination by pathogens threatens livestock health, productivity, and food security. The study aims to assess bacterial contamination in livestock water, seasonal variation, and identify key One Health risk factors. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study analyzed 420 water samples from randomly selected animal farms. Standard microbial culture techniques identify zoonotic pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Acinetobacter, and Escherichia coli (E. coli)). The analysis, which combined descriptive and multiple logistic regression with innovative visualizations, including a map of the South Gondar Zone, waffle plots, radial plots, and forest plots, was conducted using R version 4.5.1. This study employs a One Health framework to identify the primary factors driving zoonotic bacterial contamination in livestock feed and drinking water. Through descriptive analytics and multiple logistic regression, we identify three critical dimensions: seasonal variation (rainy season), animal species (ruminant, including goats and sheep, and poultry), and risk practices (wastewater discharge and shallow well use). Results reveal significantly higher contamination during rainy periods (e.g., Acinetobacter increased by 60% in livestock drinking water), while ownership of chickens (aOR = 2.52, *p* = 0.002), goats (aOR = 2.41, *p* = 0.001), and sheep (aOR = 1.72, *p* = 0.01) markedly elevated contamination odds. Wastewater discharge (aOR = 1.85, *p* = 0.03) and shallow well use (aOR = 1.45, *p* = 0.02) were significant anthropogenic risk factors. Visualization includes radial seasonal comparisons, diverging water-use bars, and sorted forest plots that highlight these synergies. This study highlights significant zoonotic bacteriological contamination in water used for livestock and feed production, with elevated levels during the rainy season. Key contributing factors include livestock type, wastewater discharge, shallow water sources, and seasonal variations. Adopting a One Health approach is crucial for mitigating contamination risks, focusing on enhanced water management, targeted interventions, and risk reduction strategies to protect both public and environmental health.