Every New Hurricane Creates a Fresh Water Crisis

Scientists are striving to avert the next storm’s impact on the water supply

Volunteers help load Harvey victims' cars with donated supplies outside Center Mall in Port Arthur, Texas, on September 2, 2017. Photo: AFP Contributor/Getty Images

When Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico in September 2017, the storm destroyed most of the island’s electrical grid. Puerto Rico’s water treatment plants and distribution pumps, which relied on that power, shut down, and 800,000 Puerto Ricans — more…