Bathing water quality in the Republic of Croatia, as well as in Europe, is of considerable public health concern. This study evaluated the results of microbiological indicators of fecal contamination (E. coli and intestinal enterococci) during the 17 years of monitoring on the beach Kantrida in Rijeka. Regular monitoring has been established since 1998. at two sites, location Kantrida – east (KI) and Kantrida – west (KZ). The results are calculated in value of the 90th percentile according to the reference methods described in the new Regulation (73/08), whose criteria are stricter and provide better insight into the quality of the Adriatic Sea than European legislation does. Larger microbiological load was observed at the location KI, which has been assessed as “poor” for many years. The major source of pollution at KI are heavy rains who wash contamination into the sea, while dominant influence at the location KZ have nearby objects with the lack of entirely resolved drainage of wastewater. This implies that the pollution is spatially related to the microlocation of examination. Since 2003., with the construction of sewage system at Kantrida area, bathing water quality has improved. Since the implementation of the new Regulation (2009.), according to national criteria, KI has been evaluated as “poor” for four seasons, while KZ has never. Meanwhile, according to European standards, none of the sites have been evaluated as “poor”. Stricter Croatian criteria in relation to European provide higher level of security.