Droughts and Floods Hobble Water Systems, Vexing EPA Officials

Droughts, floods and other extreme events brought on by climate change have been “happening at a pace that really challenges our ability to keep up and adapt quickly enough,” Christopher Frey, head of the EPA’s Office of Research and Development, said on Tuesday.

In response, the office has been helping field offices such as Region 2 in Puerto Rico identify needed investments in additional water storage, repair crews, repair supplies, and backup power and generators, Frey said at the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual drinking water workshop.

Those measures could help alleviate catastrophes that have been striking water systems across the ...