The objective of this study was to determine routes and severity of pathogen entry into the distribution system and to recommend monitoring and control strategies. The focus is on the measurement of pathogens external to drinking water pipelines and pressure fluctuations within the distribution system. To determine the opportunity of pathogens to enter the distribution system, water and soil samples external to the pipe system were anlyzed for total coliform, fecal coliform, Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium perfringens, bacteriophage, and enteric viruses. Includes 5 references, tables.