Evaluation of microbiological water quality in the Pettaquamscutt River (Rhode Island, USA) using chemical, molecular and culture-dependent methods

► Fecal enterococci (FE), fecal coliforms (FC) were determined in an estuary. ► Bifidobacterium adolescentis, optical brightener fluorescence were also measured. ► Six of 14 stations had evidence of human fecal contamination. ► FC and FE had high rates of false positives and negatives for human contamination. ► Novel methods may help identify sources of human fecal contamination.