Almost 55 percent of Puerto Ricans still don't have access to drinking water as of Saturday after Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm, struck the island two weeks ago, reports The Hill.
When Maria hit the island, widespread flooding put Puerto Ricans at risk for cross contamination of sewage and freshwater, which can lead to waterborne illness.
The storm's destruction only added to the island's already troubled water supply, which had the worst rate of drinking water violations of any state or territory because of its outdated infrastructure, pollution and underinvestment.
"We need an investment from the federal government in Puerto Rico's drinking water systems, in rebuilding Puerto Rico's infrastructure the right way," Adrianna Quintero, the director of partner engagement for the Natural Resources Defense Council, told The Hill. "We need a commitment from the Puerto Rican government to ensure that the money is spent wisely and in the most environmentally sustainable and healthy way possible and that the oversight continues."
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