The longevity of representative species of bacterial enteric pathogens exposed to water from Ohio farm ponds was studied. Salmonella species survived about 16 days, while Shigella species survived about 12 days, indicating survival of enteric pathogens in pond water for a significant time interval. These observations emphasize the importance of preventive measures to block entrance of such organisms into pond waters, including such precautions as location of the pond in a spot that will avoid polluting drainage and exclusion of farm animals from the pond watershed. The results also emphasize the importance of an effective water treatment system that is properly maintained.