The water board's phone lines have been so jammed they have had to divert calls to local authorities.

Despite their best efforts people in the villages affected feel there are many unanswered questions about the cryptosporidium samples found in Northamptonshire's water supply.

Walgrave resident Ann Linnell, from Jubilee Drive, said she was unsure what she could and couldn't use her water for.

She said: "I drink three or four pints of water a day so it's pain to have to keep boiling water."

And the part-time caretaker at Walgrave Primary School added: "We should have clean, good water because children will drink it and adults will as well.

"You take it so much for granted. I can only carry a few bottles of water at a time on the bus myself, so I'm hoping people will bring me bottled water."

Village businesses are also struggling, with The Royal Oak in Walgrave needing water to serve customers and for washing up.

At the same time as the credit crunch drives up the pub's expenses, landlord Ian Grimes had to go to a cash and carry and buy more water than usual.

He said: "It's an expense but hopefully it won't last for too long. It's something we're worried about because you need water for everything.

"It's a hassle. We've never been used to being without tap water."
A spokesman from The Park Store in Ecton Lane, Sywell said the store had a limited supply of bottled water and had sold out.

He said: "We have sold and awful lot and are selling as much as we can, but it is difficult to get it from cash and carry."