My mom has multiple water dishes set up in the cat feeding area. My cat? Now requires that I have a giant mug of water in my space too, and drinks out of it regularly. If I don't keep it there, he'll try to drink out of whatever cup I'm currently using, regardless of contents. 
Hey, if you're having it, it's obviously the best water available and must be for the cat
Though there be many like it, this water is His. 
Evie let him outside (supervised) a little while ago, so now he's remembered the back yard exists & he likes it there. He keeps singing his sad warble song and pawing at the sliding glass door.
This is Michael right now, except that when we offer him supervised outings he goes charging out... and remembers it's cold and wants in right away again
I would be fine with letting him in & out more frequently, but the aforementioned door is a giant awkward pain in the ass that defies all efforts at improvement.
He definitely did the NOPE NOPE I AM FULL OF REGRET spring-loaded retreats off the deck in MA, though.
