Each year there are an estimated 2.2 billion tourist day visits to freshwater and marine beaches in the United States.To minimize illness associated with swimming in contaminated water, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization publish beach-monitoring guidelines on the basis of Enterococcus spp. fecal indicator bacteria levels.Elevated Enterococcus levels in recreational waters can indicate potential contamination with fecal waste from sewage or other sources and can be associated with pathogens such as norovirus, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Cryptosporidium spp.,and Giardia spp. Recent waterbody closures at Brazilian Olympic venues4 and Waikiki beach, Hawaii5 illustrate recreational water contamination’s public health and economic reach.