The cliche 'water is life', has been put to the test in the city of Bulawayo as it is currently facing acute water shortages. The City of Kings is currently being dogged by water cuts which are unpredictable as they sometimes last for a few hours to a couple of days.

The water shortages have seen a serious health hazard looming as the precious liquid is the backbone of the upkeep of a hygienic and healthy environment. Bulawayo citizens are desperately opting for whatever water substitute they come across whether it is safe or not.

"We no longer care whether the water will have effects on our health. At this point in time water is water, as long as you have it,' said a Cowdray Park resident who was seen fetching water from an unprotected source.

Water shortages have also resulted in the emergence of health threatening land pollution as citizens have turned to the bushes for sanitation purposes as there is no water in the homes to use in the toilets.

'We are already being affected by the stench from the nearby bushes and with the way things are going, we're afraid that things will only get worse,' said a Morningside resident, a low density surburb in Bulawayo.

Citizens are complaining that the water comes at odd hours, usually at midnight, for only a few hours and they have to collect as much water as possible while they can.

The Bulawayo citizens, who are already facing persistent power cuts, are hoping that the city council will do something to reduce the misery that they are facing.