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Acute exposure to trace metals (TMs) in water is hazardous to human health. The average concentrations (C avg.) and carcinogenic (CAR) and non-carcinogenic (non-CAR) risks of eight TMs to World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines and national standard limits (NSLs)were determined. The C avg. and (the range) of As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Co, Cr, Ni, and Zn were measured as 4.29 ± 0.57 μg L−1 (1.12–10.27 μg L−1), 0.22 ± 0.10 μg L−1 (ND-1.05 μg L−1), 0.31 ± 0.18 μg L−1 (ND-1.80 μg L−1), 4.66 ± 0.32 μg L−1 (0.10–14.22 μg L−1), 24.61 ± 4.65 μg L−1 (3.11–67.25 μg L−1), 16.86 ± 5.54 μg L−1 (5.12–34.61 μg L−1), 14.07 ± 4.37 μg L−1 (3.79–31.39 μg L−1), and 268.42 ± 75.82 (87.29–561.22 μg L−1), respectively. The C avg. of Co and Hg exceeded the WHO and NSLs. The non-CAR risk assessment was used to order the TMs according to the total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) As > Pb > Cr > Co > Zn > Hg > Ni > Cd. None of the investigated age groups are at risk As there is a low C avg of all trace metals (i.e., the THQ is > 1). The age groups were ranked based on THQ and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) As < 1 year, >1–10 years, > 11–19 years, and > + 20 years. The ILCR of As for all the age groups was >10−4, whereas for Pb it was <10−6. Cumulative carcinogenic risk (CCR) for As and Pb was at a safe threshold risk (>10−4) for all the age groups. • Exposure to trace metals can endanger the health of populations. • Concentrations of trace metals in Kermanshah city, Iran tap water were determined. • The concentration of different trace metals exceeded the standard limits. • The ILCR was ranked as based on age as < 1 yr> 1–10 yrs > + 20 yrs > 11–19 yrs. • Trace metals threshold risk can correlate concentration limit in drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]