A study conducted in Jigjiga City, Ethiopia, analyzed the levels of seven heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni) in drinking groundwater and assessed their health risks. Water samples were collected from three boreholes and seven taps, and heavy metal concentrations were measured using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). The study evaluated health risks using Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). The results showed that heavy metal concentrations ranged from 7.77 ± 0.7 to 29.13 ± 7.22 mg/L for Fe, 0.06 ± 0.01 to 2.72 ± 0.29 mg/L for Zn, 0.65 ± 0.04 to 2.15 ± 0.63 mg/L for Cu, and BDL-1.43 ± 0.15 mg/L for Cd. The HQ indices for heavy metals in various sampling sites were Cd > Ni > Cu > Pb > Fe > Cr > Zn for both adults and children. The ILCR showed that cadmium was the major risk factor for cancer, particularly in children. The study highlights the need for further data collection and public awareness to address heavy metal pollution in drinking water. The findings emphasize the importance of monitoring and regulating heavy metal levels in the environment to protect public health.A study conducted in Jigjiga City, Ethiopia, analyzed the levels of seven heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni) in drinking groundwater and assessed their health risks. Water samples were collected from three boreholes and seven taps, and heavy metal concentrations were measured using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). The study evaluated health risks using Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). The results showed that heavy metal concentrations ranged from 7.77 ± 0.7 to 29.13 ± 7.22 mg/L for Fe, 0.06 ± 0.01 to 2.72 ± 0.29 mg/L for Zn, 0.65 ± 0.04 to 2.15 ± 0.63 mg/L for Cu, and BDL-1.43 ± 0.15 mg/L for Cd. The HQ indices for heavy metals in various sampling sites were Cd > Ni > Cu > Pb > Fe > Cr > Zn for both adults and children. The ILCR showed that cadmium was the major risk factor for cancer, particularly in children. The study highlights the need for further data collection and public awareness to address heavy metal pollution in drinking water. The findings emphasize the importance of monitoring and regulating heavy metal levels in the environment to protect public health.