from what age should pups start drinking water/milk from a bowl? my pups are 4 weeks old now and growing well but mum doesnt seem to have much milk any more, im never able to squeeze any out at all, should the pups be able to lap at this age?

The fact you can't get any doesn't mean she hasn't got it just that she lets it down when they feed.  Her milk will still be very important to them at this age.

Mine have access to a flat dish of water as soon as introduced to food other than Mum, though they don't seem top drink much until they are nearly weaned as what you give is sloppy at first.