Agricultural water contaminated with microbial pathogens can elevate the risk of foodborne illness when used as source of irrigation water or for other purposes (e.g., crop protection sprays, agrochemical mixtures) that result in contact with the edible portion of the produce.

• Facilitating implementation of FSMA’s agricultural water quality regulations: Case study for cooperative monitoring
• Assessment of the benefits of cooperative monitoring in the Gulf South
• Project feasibility to assess microbial survival on equipment surfaces during long distance transport between southwestern US growing regions and central coastal California
• Assisting rural communities to comply with FDA’s water quality regulations: Hold-time evaluation
• Evaluation of the risk of using tail water sources for the production of leafy green lettuces and herbs (also funded through the Center for Produce Safety)
• Movement of Salmonella through farm ponds, irrigation distribution systems and transfer to fresh produce at medium-size mixed produce farms in Georgia (also funded through Center for Produce Safety)