One Health assessment of waterpan-linked zoonotic and microbial contamination risks in Kenyan ASALs

In arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), climate change is intensifying water scarcity and driving communities, livestock, and wildlife to depend on shared water resources such as waterpans, which are artificially constructed storage pans that serve as critical climate adaptation infrastructure during prolonged dry periods. The convergence of humans, livestock, and wildlife at shared waterpans creates exposure pathways for fecal contamination, zoonotic pathogen transmission, and water quality degradation, a context that demands a One Health approach. This study examined waterpan-associated microbial contamination and zoonotic disease risks within a One Health framework. Specifically, the study assessed how seasonal dynamics, land use, livestock intensity, and wildlife interactions shape pathogen exposure among ASAL communities. Water samples were collected from 12 waterpans in Narok County, Kenya, during the dry and wet seasons and analyzed for Escherichia coli contamination, physicochemical parameters, and fecal–oral zoonotic pathogens using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Human activity patterns, livestock density, and wildlife interactions were assessed through field surveys and participatory field mapping to identify drivers of contamination and public health exposure. Preliminary findings indicate elevated microbial contamination during the dry season at livestock-dominated waterpans. Full analysis will link contamination levels to land use, seasonal variation, and behavioural drivers to inform evidence-based water safety and One Health management strategies in Kenya and other ASAL regions. The study recommends strengthening integrated waterpan management through routine microbial surveillance, improved livestock watering controls, protection of water access points from fecal contamination, and community-based hygiene interventions. In addition, ecosystem-based adaptation strategies, including catchment restoration, sustainable grazing practices, and climate-resilient water infrastructure planning, are essential for enhancing ecosystem health and reducing climate-sensitive zoonotic disease risks in vulnerable ASAL communities.