Solutions range from bottled water to temporary connection to water mains.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: "An adequate supply of drinking water is something that most of us take for granted.
"We are determined to ensure that no one goes without drinking water because of the current dry spell.
For this reason, I have confirmed to local authorities and Scottish Water that the Scottish government will cover the additional costs incurred where emergency supplies need to be provided."
Most of those with private water supplies live in rural areas in the north-east and south-west of Scotland.
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He told BBC Scotland: "The water is in dire straits really, we need to get rain pretty quickly and we need to get some heavy rain.
Mr Tulloch’s supply comes from a spring and he believes it will run completely dry within a week.
‘No immediate concerns’ It is then pumped to a water treatment facility which supplies 20,000 properties in Moray.
Residents who think they might be affected are asked to contact their local authority to seek assistance.