This study assessed the impact of urban intensification on water quality and microbial communities in canals in Suzhou, China. Samples were taken from sites with high, medium, and low population densities in both summer and spring. Nutrient levels, leaf litter breakdown, and microbial abundance varied between intensity areas and seasons. Microbial communities showed elevated nutrients and microbial levels in highly urbanized sites. Organic matter broke down faster in summer. Sequencing of microbial communities is ongoing but results so far indicate urbanization alters water quality and microbes.