Multidrug-resistant pathogens contaminate river water used in irrigation in disenfranchised communities

•Fresh surface waters play a critical role in human health and prosperity.•Water contamination is a serious problem, especially for disenfranchised populations.•Fecal contamination of irrigation waters can lead to the dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria.•Identification of E. coliwith blaNDM-5and YRIN-inserted PBP3, exacerbating AMR challenges.•Detection of K. pneumoniaecarrying blaSHV-187and mutations in the ompK37porin gene.