The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions containing mono-, bis-, tri- or tetra- phosphonate qua ternary ammonium compounds and surfaces coated with such compositions which demonstrate antimicrobial activity against a vari ety of gram positive and gram negative bacteria including, but not limited to, Staphylococcus ,Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Listeria, Arthrobactex and Escherichia.