2 Abstract: Assessment of metal-contaminated soils depends on how one can predict the bioavailability of trace and toxic metals in soil and transfer to the human food chain. To predict the uptake of Cd, Zn and Ni by vegetable (pepper) grown on agricultural soil on the bank of river Challawa. 32 pepper and 16 soi l samples were collected from areas irrigated with wastewater as study samples and for comparative purposes, agricultural soil samples irrigated with fresh river water, was collected as control samples. The samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The validation of the sample procedure was assessed by using spiking method. The level of Cd ranged from 0.94-5.27 mg kg and 0.25- 1