This study was aimed to survey the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in water sources of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran. Total 100 samples were collected from different sites and divided on the basis of potability, geographic location, accessibility, consumption and water flow types. Protocols issued by Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran were used to detect Salmonella spp. Results of study revealed that 74.6% water sources shows the presence of Salmonella spp. Among studied sources, only one sample of potable water was contaminated with Salmonella spp. The highest contamination was reported from still water and it was significantly different that the pipe water (p<0.05). The highest contamination among non-potable water was reported from Jazinak compared to other regions. Further, it was reported that non-potable water is mostly used for non-agricultural consumption and it was found to be more polluted than water used for irrigation (p<0.05). The highest contamination with Salmonella was reported in ponds water (p<0.05). Non-potable water collected from east region of Sistan was reported more polluted than the west region. Contamination of non-potable water resources in the study area was high. Potable water, totally, indicates the proper function of the Salmonella treatment plan of water refinery of Sistan. Non-potable water of study area is polluted. Identification of Salmonella serotype and antibiotic susceptibility testing serve as indicators to define the accurate level of contamination.

Water should be free of dangerous agents and able to provide the nutritional needs of humans and animals. Adequate and reliable water supply is essential for healthy animal production. This study was carried out in Sistan region, Sistan and Baluchistan State, Iran, to evaluate the pollution rate of drinking water and water sources with fecal Escherichia coli via most probable number (MPN) method. A total number of 100 water samples were collected and divided to drinking and nonpotable water groups. The non-potable water was categorized according to flow type, irrigation usage, type of accessibility and geographic location. Mean number of MPN of fecal E. coli in nonpotable and drinkable water were detected, 6.1 × 10 2 and 2.4 coliforms per 100 mL, respectively (p < 0.05). Running water was more contaminated than still and pipe water in the study area (p < 0.05). Significantly, the MPN of fecal coliforms, in non-potable water, collected from the east was higher than the west part of the study area (p < 0.05). Among potable water, in the study area, the west part was remarkably more polluted with fecal E. coli than the east part of the study area (p < 0.05). Results indicated the applicability of water for animal consumption and an alarming signal for human consumption and public health.