Therefore, CDI indices for HM in the study area were found in the order of ZnNCuNMnNPbNCrNNiNCdNCo. In drinking water, the high CDI values of Zn,Mn and Pb may be attributed to the Pb–Zn sulfide mineralization, while that of Cr and Ni may be resulted from the mafic and ultramafic bed rocks hosting chromite deposits