Do you think a kitty prefers an elevated water dish?

My kitty keeps knocking over his water. I thought it was to get my attention only, but I'm thinking I was wrong about that for various reasons:

1) He seems to stop attempting to knock it down when I immediately get him fresh water after he attempts it (putting his paw in the water to knock it over).

2) He knocked it over this morning very early (while I was still sleeping in the other room). I heard it, and I got up to clean it. As I was cleaning it up, he was trying to drink the same water that spilled from the table it spilled on.

3) When he does attempt to knock it over (while I'm awake) he stops if I hold the water at a slant. That makes me wonder if it's related to whisker fatigue as it's a small circumference.

After I got him his fresh water this morning, he still attempted to knock my water down. I think that's due to him wanting something to eat though.

Another thing --- I've noticed he doesn't knock it down near as much when I'm not here vs if I'm at home.

I'm not sure if it's about the freshness of the water, the height (he does sneeze or seem to get water in his nose sometimes from drinking it at an a 7" height --- this REALLY bothers him), or if he's trying to get my attention.

Honestly, I don't know what causes him to get water in his nose sometimes.