WHATAYA DRINKING? After community criticism, the Newport...

WHATAYA DRINKING? After community criticism, the Newport Beach City Council voted 5-1 Monday night to nix an $11,000 allocation to continue bottled water for employees at City Hall and in the libraries. Mayor Clarence J. Turner cast the dissenting vote: “I can’t support this, because I can’t stand the (city) water either.” . . . Feeling defensive, utilities director Jeff Staneart rose to tell a packed audience that while the city’s water often has a colorful odor and taste, it passes all relevant health codes.

HOUSE PARTY: The place to be seen during the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco this week is the annual bash thrown by Irvine-based Homes For Sale magazine. The private party at the nightclub atop the St. Francis Hotel is so popular guests must show both an invitation and a driver’s license. . . . “People tell me that getting one of our envelopes means that they have arrived,” says publisher Mike Peralta. He mailed 1,100 black and silver invitations to Thursday’s party: Not transferable.

THE BIG SCORE: Angels lefty Mark Langston, now with an 8-1 record, is on pace for a 20-victory season. You’re a true veteran fan if you were around when the Halos had their last 20-game winner. . . . He was in the Texas Rangers’ dugout Monday night watching Langston pitch. Nolan Ryan, who retires after this year with the Rangers, was 22-16 in 1974 as an Angel-- 19 years ago. Ryan also won 21 in 1973. Other Angel 20-game winners: Dean Chance, Andy Messersmith, Bill Singer and Clyde Wright.

FREEWAY FATIGUE: With 6.6 million daily commuters on Southern California roadways, the unhappiest motorists are in Orange County, a new private study shows (B2). Nearly one in three surveyed here said traffic congestion is a problem and many said it actually had a negative impact on their family lives. . . . The survey also shows that, despite years of car-pool promotions, 86% of the county’s residents still drive alone to work.