I don't know how others feel about it, but I don't depend on there being drinking water in the fountains. I can hike pretty far on a bit of cheese and chorizo, but I dread walking without any water. On the VDLP I would leave the albergue in the morning with two litres of water which I rationed to last the whole day. I'd drink an extra 1/2 litre in when I first woke up, and 1/2 litre again in the evening.
I know many pilgrims drink tap water from the albergues, but I always bought bottled water. It is a small price to pay to avoid stomach upset.
As for their being other pilgrims right now on the VDLP, if you are alone in the albergue, check the guest book. I would find that I was a day or two behind another pilgrim. Reading their note was a bit of contact for the day.
Happy trails,
David, Victoria, Canada.