The performances of a constructed wetland and a water pollution control pond were compared in terms of their abilities to reduce stormwater bacterial loads to recreational waters. Concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms, enterococci and heterotrophic bacteria were determined in inflow and outflow samples collected from each system over a 6-month period. Bacterial removal was significantly less effective in the water pollution control pond than in the constructed wetland. This was attributed to the inability of the pond system to retain the fine clay particles (< 2 mu m) to which the bacteria were predominantly adsorbed. Sediment microcosm survival studies showed that the persistence of thermotolerant coliforms was greater in the pond sediments than in the wetland sediments, and that predation was a major factor influencing bacterial survival. The key to greater bacterial longevity in the pond sediments appeared to be the adsorption of bacteria to fine particles, which protected them from predators. These observations may significantly affect the choice of treatment system for effective stormwater management.