A similar situation is beginning to take effect here in Australia too. At least at the local council level. If you have a rain water tank, and rely solely on the weather for water, you still have to pay a fee to the water management people. (Western Water in Melbourne are charging Gisborne residents who have never, ever been connected to a mains supply).
The Perth kitten which made international headlines this week because it was born with two faces, has reportedly died overnight.
The three-day-old male kitten died after asphyxiating on fluid in its lungs.