HOT WATER: Notice a musty smell to...

HOT WATER: Notice a musty smell to your water lately? You’re not alone. . . . Homes throughout the Valley are suffering, as well. The odors are caused by an explosion of algae in the South Haiwee Reservoir in Owens Valley that feeds into the San Fernando Valley. The solution: Water engineers will dump 6,000 pounds of copper sulfate into the 6.2-billion-gallon reservoir to remove the algae. . . . Said DWP engineer George Miller: “By the end of next week, there should be a big improvement.”

PLAYING DOUBLES: You can’t blame opponents of the Westlake High girls tennis team for having double takes this season. . . . The Warriors have not one, but two sets of twins in their lineup: Erin and Katy Smith and Brittany and Nicole Jensky (C8). And they have plenty in common. . . . Said Coach Connie Flanderka: “They’re all good players. And they’re good teammates.”

AMERICAN WAY: When she won the Miss America title in 1972 for Ohio, Laurel Schaefer was considered a rebel. During her reign, she wore a bracelet bearing the name of an American prisoner of war in Vietnam. “I was the first winner to become politically active,” said Schaefer, above, now a 40-something Burbank resident. . . . Schaefer, an actress, heads to Atlantic City next week for the pageant’s 75th anniversary. And times have changed, thanks in part to Schaefer’s actions. The Miss America who followed Schaefer also wore a POW bracelet. And now the judging has a segment where contestants talk about political and social issues dear to them. . . . “I wanted to change the concept from a pretty girl who sat in the back of a limousine and waved,” said Schaefer. “It kind of opened the door for the gals down the road.”

A CUT ABOVE: Despite recurring budget cuts, registration begins next week for hundreds of city recreation programs. And some Valley sites will even expand their course offerings. . . . New programs include aikido classes at Chatsworth Park and computer courses at Van Nuys Recreation Center (B3). . . . “It’s a strange thing,” said one official. “No matter how much we get cut, we always manage to get through.”

TONIGHT: The Libido Brothers play Latin jazz at 9 at Cha Cha Cha, 17499 Ventura Blvd., Encino. No cover. Info: (818) 789-3600.