I've been to a number of campgrounds where the public is told that there is no water. Actually, there are streams, but no "potable water," meaning that the water is not drinkable without treatment. In those cases, I've filtered or chemically treated the stream water.

I agree with going where water is available rather than trying to carry a couple of gallons (16 lbs.!). Now if you were in the desert, you'd have no choice, but you're not.

Just make sure that the problem is really lack of water rather than lack of potable water. Unless the water is polluted with agricultural chemicals or mine runoff, there are many easy ways to make it safe to drink.