Photo by Eric P

>> It’s always fun to joke about the quality of the local water, but the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority is making a sincere effort to get people—and restaurateurs—to think about tap water as a vital and popular ingredient, Jessica Sidman writes in this week’s City Paper cover. “New Yorkers have long boasted that it’s the water that makes their bagels and pizza so good,” Sidman writes. “DC Water wants to create the same sense of pride here.”

>> Maryland legislators are headed back to Annapolis today to debate Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to expand casino gambling in the Old Line State. Also on the agenda, according to the Post: pitbulls.

>> A Laurel, Md. man who was arrested last weekend is suing the city and a police officer for striking him after he was handcuffed, NBC4 reports. The man’s lawsuit seeks $3 million in damages, or about half of Laurel’s public safety budget.

Briefly Noted: Hirshhorn Museum is all spectacle, no substance … WaPo gets caught up on the accidental gun shipment … D.C. teacher coached students during standardized testing in 2010 … Gio Gonzalez pitches complete game and hits home run … Three injured in fire in Prince George’s County.

This Day in DCist: Last year, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier demoted Hilton Burton from commander to captain. Now he’s suing. In 2010, we realized Metro’s charter makes no mention of customer safety.