Access to safe drinking water remains a challenge in some rural communities, where untreated water from wells, boreholes, springs, and public fountains is often used. Results from the WATER project revealed widespread fecal contamination and physicochemical non-compliance, including elevated nitrate levels. Long-term exposure to such water may pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Building on these findings, WATER 2.0 will investigate untreated drinking water as a potential reservoir and dissemination route of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance genes through antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular detection of clinically relevant resistance determinants. WATER 2.0 will explore associations between environmental contamination, AMR, and public health indicators within a One Health framework. Given the limited evidence available in Portugal, WATER 2.0 will strengthen environmental AMR surveillance and support evidence-based public health strategies. Community awareness
activities will promote water literacy and safer water-use practices in rural populations.