## 1 Introduction  
The advancement and swift progress of civilization have led to the emission of several undesirable contaminants into the environment [1]. Heavy metal pollutants contamination is a significant issue, according to current data, particularly in water systems. For instance, about 10% of the water sources in underdeveloped rural areas are said to have lead levels greater than 50 \(\upmu\)g/L, which is the maximum amount allowed by the WHO guidelines [2]. In industrial areas, heavy metal contamination in water sources frequently surpasses safety thresholds; for example, in specific regions, copper levels have been documented at concentrations markedly above the World Health Organization's advised limit of 2 mg/L [3]. The introduction of heavy metals, originating from both natural and human activities, has concerned the scientific community in recent decades. These metals have the ability to be adsorbed onto cell membranes, leading to the development of numerous incurable diseases in both humans and aquatic plants and animals. Metals such as lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) are widely present in the environment and pose significant risks [4]. Lead (Pb), listed as a priority pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency, surpasses other heavy metals in contamination levels in water bodies and poses severe cumulative health risks globally. In Addis Ababa, lead levels in water have been found to average 62.6 mg/L [5], which exceeds the permissible lead concentration of 50 mg/L set by the World Health Organization for drinking water [6]. The exposure to lead (Pb) disrupts physiological functions, damages vital organs, and causes kidney failure. Furthermore, Pb can accumulate in many tissues of fish exposed to it, leading to harm in the liver and kidneys, as well as stunted growth. This accumulation also causes stress, resulting in disrupted cortisol levels and metabolic enzymes [7]. Studies have shown that elevated blood lead levels are associated with cognitive deficits in children [8] and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality [9], hypertension, and renal dysfunction [10]. Lead has been extensively utilized in drinking water distribution systems throughout history due to its corrosion resistance and malleability [11]. Although there have been extensive prohibitions on lead pipes and lead-tin solders, there still exists a residue of plumbing that contains lead [12,13]. Despite the well-known lead-in-water emergencies in Flint, MI, and Washington, D.C., the risk of lead exposure through drinking water remains a persistent danger to public health [14]. Copper is a vital metal in several enzymes for all living organisms; complications arise when there is a deficiency or excess of it [15]. Copper is one of the most widely used heavy metals, with the cupric ion [Cu(II)] being the predominant species in the environment. In this form, copper exhibits toxicity towards numerous living creatures [16]. Individuals are subjected to excessively elevated concentrations of harmful metals in their beverages and meals as a result of some habits, such as preparing food in pots lined or glazed with copper and utilizing copper pipes for water delivery [17,18]. Copper waste originates from several sources, such as drainage discharge, fertilizer companies, mining wastes, electroplating baths, dyes and pigments, as well as electronic waste (e-waste) and discarded electrical equipment, among others [19]. While a small quantity of copper is necessary for living organisms, an overabundance of copper in water can lead to detrimental effects, such as neurotoxicity, depression, brain damage, jaundice, respiratory problems, liver and kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, and potentially death [20]. The permissible concentration of copper in drinking water is 1.3 mg/L as per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [21], less than 2 mg/L in Canada [22], and 2.0 mg/L according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [21].