A low cost innovative enumeration technique that allows rapid monitoring of low bacterial concentrations is described in this paper. This technique utilizes immuno-magnetic separation methods in combination with ferrographic methods to deposit magnetic beads and attached bacteria in an exceedingly small area (0.011 cm(2)) on a glass substratum. The bacteria are then enumerated under an epifluorescent microscope. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.