GHD's Maria Lehman highlights resilient infrastructure at World Water Day event

GHD Executive Advisor for Infrastructure Maria Lehman recently delivered the Summit Keynote address at a World Water Day event, emphasizing the need to treat water as a strategic economic asset through resilient, technology-enabled infrastructure.

The Washington, D.C., event, “State of The Water Sector 2026: A Dialogue on Emerging Trends in US Water Policy,” was hosted by Reservoir Center for Water Solutions, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and United for Infrastructure.

Lehman serves as interim executive director of ASCE.

In her address, Lehman outlined the vital role water systems play for communities and industries, noting that approximately 35% of water is lost globally due to leaks and system inefficiencies. Addressing these losses and expanding water reuse, she said, could help meet growing demands, such as those driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Lehman also addressed the increasing impacts of disasters on water infrastructure, with continued development in vulnerable areas amplifying risk. A 2024 National Academies report highlights the need for a broader understanding of how disaster risks are interconnected and how their consequences continue to grow. GHD’s Aquanomics report projects water-related risks, particularly storms, floods and droughts, could cost the US economy $3.7 trillion by 2050. Tailoring solutions to specific water risks is essential for building future resilience, Lehman said in her speech.

She also emphasized the need to reauthorize key water funding programs and increase investment in lead service line removal and control of contaminants such as PFAS. Lehman discussed the need for a cabinet level Department of Water and adopting advanced digital technologies, including predictive modeling, to strengthen water security and improve infrastructure performance.

World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance that has been held every March 22 since 1993.

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.