Professional Role and Responsibilities
Dr. Moussa Wone serves as Vice President for the Clean Rivers Project at DC Water, a major infrastructure program also known as the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plan. The Clean Rivers Project is a multi-billion-dollar initiative, valued at approximately $3.3 billion, aimed at substantially reducing combined sewer overflows by 96% system-wide, including a 98% reduction for the Anacostia River and a 93% reduction for the Potomac River, thereby improving water quality and public health in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. The project involves the planning, design, and construction of extensive underground infrastructure, including miles-long tunnels and storage basins designed to capture stormwater and wastewater.
Dr. Wone is responsible for the implementation, management, and strategic leadership of this complex program, which is recognized as one of the largest and most expensive construction undertakings in DC Water’s history. The scope includes advanced tunneling methods and coordination with federal environmental and legal mandates, such as the federal consent decree with the Department of Justice.
Expertise and Technical Qualifications
Dr. Wone holds a Ph.D., is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), and a Certified Design-Build Professional (DBIA). His academic credentials include a degree from the prestigious Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees (Paris, France) and postgraduate education at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, as well as an MBA from George Washington University.
He brings over 30 years of experience in designing and managing tunnel projects, employing multiple construction delivery methods such as design-build, design-bid-build, and Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). His technical proficiency spans tunneling techniques including SEM, NATM, and TBM, with specialized skills in risk management, construction impact assessment, and numerical modeling.
Prior to his role at DC Water, Dr. Wone was Engineer of Record and Lead Designer for the $330 million Blue Plains Tunnel project, which received multiple prestigious industry awards including the International Tunneling Association’s 2013 Technical Innovation of the Year, the 2016 ENR Best of the Best Project Award, and the 2016 Dispute Resolution Board Dispute Avoidance Award.
Professional Achievements and Recognition
- Under Dr. Wone’s leadership, all phases of the Clean Rivers Project have been delivered on time and under budget, a critical achievement given the scale and complexity of the infrastructure.
- The project has significantly contributed to restoring water quality in historically polluted waterways such as the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, with measurable environmental and community health benefits.
- He has been actively involved in securing awards and recognitions for DC Water’s construction and environmental programs, reflecting his leadership and delivery capabilities.
In addition to his primary responsibilities, Dr. Wone joined the Board of Directors at AlexRenew in October 2024, reflecting his broader influence and engagement in regional water management and environmental stewardship beyond DC Water.
Project Impact and Strategic Importance
The Clean Rivers Project led by Dr. Wone is a foundational infrastructure effort that will protect public health by drastically reducing sewage overflows in response to increasing rainfall and urbanization pressures. Its successful execution is crucial for compliance with environmental regulations and for meeting the demands of the rapidly growing metropolitan area served by DC Water.
The Potomac River Tunnel, a key component of this program, represents the next major construction milestone and involves large-diameter, deep tunneling work critical to the project’s overall effectiveness. Dr. Wone’s oversight includes technical coordination, workforce management, and integration of multidisciplinary environmental data.
Contact Information and Professional Affiliations
- Email: Moussa.Wone@dcwater.com
- Phone: 202-787-4729
- LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/moussa-wone](https://linkedin.com/in/moussa-wone)
Dr. Wone also plays a role on DC Water’s Executive and Alternative Delivery Methods Committees, underscoring his leadership in organizational governance concerning project delivery innovation.
Dr. Moussa Wone’s combined technical expertise, proven project leadership, and strategic role in one of the nation’s largest urban water infrastructure programs position him as a key decision-maker and influencer within DC Water’s operations and regional water quality initiatives.
