I realise it's been a few months since the last post here, but there were a couple of questions that went unanswered by others, and I feel I may be able to help!
Regarding exit rows and being able to recline:
During take-off and landing, the rows with exit doors need to be kept as accessible as possible (thus no bags, and no-one is permitted to recline back into the extra room, as this can block the exit). For example:
In a DJ 738, where there are two rows of over-wing exits (eg 14 & 15):
Row 13 can't recline (leans back into an exit - 14)
Row 14 can't recline (leans back into an exit - 15)
Row 15 CAN recline (although an exit row, by reclining they aren't blocking an exit, therefore it is fine)
In this case, the seats on DJ in rows 13 & 14 have no recline button, however other airlines (eg. Qantas) choose to pay a tad extra for seats that can be locked upright during take-off and landing, and can then be unlocked and able to recline for the rest of the flight.
Regarding provision of drinking water:
I hold a current RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) qualification in Queensland, and at the time I completed it, we were informed that in Qld, drinking water must be available wherever alcohol is sold - however the price of which must not exceed that of the smallest sized soft drink available from the same location. As far as we were informed, nowhere in the legislation requires licensed venues to provide free access to drinking water - only just that they at least offer it for sale... Many businesses do choose to freely offer water, although (apparently) charging for it is not illegal.
Of course, these are the words of our (qualified) instructor, but if anyone can find any legislation to prove otherwise I'm happy to admit defeat haha!