Abstract

The presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water can lead to 
long-term health risks from internal radiation exposure. Therefore, conducting a 
radiological assessment of water sources is essential to evaluate potential hazards, 
ensure public safety, and verify compliance with international health guidelines. This 
study investigates the concentrations of radionuclides and associated radiological 
hazards in the Ildabey water source, located in Eyl, Somalia. Water samples were 
collected from three zones (Zone A—initial flow, Zone B—rocky downstream, Zone 
C—stagnant storage) to represent varying geological and hydrological conditions. 
High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to quantify 
activity concentrations of Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th), Radium-226 
(226Ra), Radon-222 (222Rn), and Potassium-40 (40K), while a Liquid Scintillation 
Counter measured gross alpha and beta radiation. The results showed 238U 
concentrations ranging from 3.50 ± 0.97 to 9.30 ± 1.17 Bq/l, and 226Ra from 0.60 ± 0.07 
to 2.70 ± 0.93 Bq/l, with some values exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) 
recommended limits. The committed effective dose (CED) due to ingestion ranged 
from 0.4301 to 1.1344 mSv/year, with an average of 0.7005 mSv/year, significantly 
surpassing the WHO guideline of 0.1 mSv/year. Radiological hazard indices such as 
radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices were also computed, 
confirming the presence of moderate radiological risk. These findings underscore the 
need for regular radiological monitoring and public health interventions to ensure 
the safety of water used for human consumption in the region.