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    Back to Which Way, L.A.?

    Which Way, L.A.?

    100 Years On, Why Don't Angelenos Drink LA's Water?

    Like many Americans, LA residents buy drinking water in plastic bottles. Why, when the DWP provides it for free?

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    By Warren Olney • Nov 7, 2013 • 24m Listen

    In Los Angeles, drinking fountains are almost things of the past. They're either removed from city parks or they're hardly maintained. They've been replaced in public schools by sodas in vending machines. And, like more and more Americans, LA residents buy drinking water in plastic bottles. But why, when the Department of Water and Power provides it for free? There's now a movement to restore the drinking fountain, which claims DWP water is actually better, even if it does sometimes taste like chlorine. And, of course, plastic bottles are the scourge of the environment. Will restoring the drinking fountain help boost confidence in the municipal water supply?

    On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, elections in New Jersey, Virginia and Alabama contain signals of political change and messages for both political parties. Republicans are more divided than ever, but that could be bad news for Democrats. We look at yesterday's results around the country.

    Banner image: Sean Dreilinger


    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

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      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

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      Andrea Brody

      Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

      News
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