Safe water and adequate sanitation are basic rights of people and fundamental to human development. However, large proportion of the world population, particularly in low income countries, lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation. In Ethiopia improved water supply and sanitation were the majored problems with poor coverage of drinking water. The objective of this study is to assess the water sanitation, hygienic and quality status in Alefa district and Shahura town, Central Gondar zone North-West Ethiopia. A community based cross sectional study was conducted in the study area. The water sample was collected from 34 water sources and 39 from household containers. Thirty four water samples were selected purposively to include all types of water resources. Assessments of sanitary and hygienic practices were done through face-to-face interview from 431 households and observation checklist. Among these 39 households were selected by systematic random sampling for water analysis. The bacteriological quality of drinking water was evaluated by most probable number (MPN) technique. The data obtained from water samples were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. In terms of fecal coliform counts, 26/34 (76.47 %) water sources and 17/39 (43.59%) household containers water samples were tested positive for FC. In terms of total coliform, 27/34 (79.41 %) water sources and 18/39 (46.15%) household containers water samples were tested positive for TC with significant difference. DWP/BH and DWT water sources were very good to drinking compared to the other. The physicochemical water quality high value of pH (7.93) recorded from DWT line in with WHO guideline value (6.5- 8.5). All mean values of conductivity and TDS were within the allowable limits of WHO guideline (<1000g/100ml). About 4/6(66.67%) drinking water source samples turbidity mean values beyond the limit values of WHO guidelines (< 5). Among the households, about 284(65.88%) obtained drinking water from improved sources (from DWP/BH, HDWP, PS, DWT and MS) but these water resources not protected and fenced. Only 60(13.92%) respondents travel from 6.50 meters. This study shows that the quality of drinking water in the study area is poor due to the following risk factors such as poor handling practices, poor waste disposal system, low water treatment a practice. Further studies are requiring to determining the exact point of water pollution and sanitary conditions as well as biological water quality in the study area. Keyword: Bacteriological analysis, Drinking water, physical quality, Total coliform