Improved springs and water wells are major sources of drinking water for most of thernrural areas in Ethiopia. These types of water sources are under increasing threat fromrncontamination due to inadequate maintenance of water sources and lack of sanitationrnpractices. SNNPR like other regions in Ethiopia highly depend on spring and well waterrnsources. However, the water quality status and the sanitary condition of the water sourcesrnare not evaluated in this region. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess thernquality and sanitary condition of selected improved water sources in SNNPR, Ethiopia. Inrnthe study, a total of 121 water sources were selected in four zones (Wolayita, Hadiya,rnSilti and Gamo Gofa). The zones were selected purposively and the improved waterrnsources were selected randomly. Samples for bacteriological analysis were collectedrnusing sterilized bottle and analyzed for E.coli, Intestinal Enterococci, Pseudomonas, andrnAeromonas in Zonal Public Health laboratories. Sample for major cations and anionsrnwere collected using plastic bottles. On the other hand, the water samples for heavy metalrnanalysis were collected using acidified high density plastic bottles. The samples for bothrnanalyses were transported to Ethiopian Public Health Institute using Ice box. In addition,rnphysical parameters like pH, turbidity and electrical conductivity were measured at therntime of collection. Moreover, sanitary inspections were conducted in all the samplingrnsites (121 sites) using standardized WHO sanitary inspection form. The laboratory testrnresults were analyzed using SPSS and excel sheets and presented in tables and figures.rnThe result of bacteriological analysis obtained range from 0 cfu to too many to Countrn(>500 cfu) and almost half of the samples were positive for E.coli (49.6%) andrnEnterococci (51.2%). High contamination level of E.coli (>100 cfu/100ml) were found inrn11.6% of water supplies. Similarly, Enterococci (>100 cfu/100ml) were found in 7.4%rnthe improved water sources. Copper and Nitrate were also exceeded both the national andrnWHO guideline values in 0.83 and 1.65% of water samples, respectively. Water samplesrntaken from Zone_3 had higher concentrations of Fluoride (p