Bowsers were placed around the county during the crisis

Severn Trent Water said it could account for about 1,800 of the water containers and asked residents to "keep their eyes peeled".

The company started to withdraw the bowsers in the first week of August, once tap water supplies were restored to about 140,000 homes.

Anyone who spots a bowser is asked to call 0845 602 2055.

Martin Kane, Severn Trent's director of customer services, said: "We are not sure whether some of these bowsers were stolen or have been simple moved to a different location.