WHAT WE DO

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Operating since 2015, TECAS has successfully led a diverse collection of projects made possible by the multidisciplinary expertise of Jay Toews P. Biol., R.P.Bio., C.Chem., P.Chem.  This expertise is demonstrated in projects including:

• Calculation of whole-lake nutrient budgets, with analysis of algal taxonomy and delineation of external and internal phosphorus loading, to develop water quality improvement and management plans in small lakes.

• Contaminants studies to support Environmental Risk and Remediation projects.  These have included a study identifying that mercury methylation in hypoxic hypolimnia represents a major contributor to legacy effects of a watershed-scale historical contamination event.

• Receiving Stream Assimilative Capacity Assessments, with development of water quality models, to establish effluent discharge criteria for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

• Senior Review for Environmental Assessments for mines and other projects, including review and contributions to study designs for water quality, sediment quality, fish and lower trophic levels.

• Applied analysis and interpretation of issues around water quality and algae ecology, including a study determining that non-compliant turbidity in potable water was caused by algae species succession in a drinking water reservoir rather than chemical processes in the reservoir or treatment plant.

• Interpretation of chemistry and algae taxonomy data to provide guidance to water quality improvement strategies in lakes from Alberta to Quebec.

• Research, pioneering novel, non-destructive sampling techniques, on protected freshwater mussel species in turbid river environments.

• Project Management and technical leadership for projects that have included cross-boundary water diversions and establishment of criteria for water control structure construction and operation.

• Site-specific toxicity studies and receiving stream assessments to guide development of regulatory discharge criteria.

• Environmental Assessment and Permitting support to instream construction projects including river crossings, dams, water intakes, wastewater outfalls, shoreline stabilization and erosion protection projects.

• Contributions to Environmental Protection Plans, Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, and construction tender specifications for instream construction projects.  TECAS often contributes significantly to projects in the design stage, identifying means to reduce environmental regulatory concerns and overall project costs.

• Environmental support at the construction stage of instream projects, including design and completion of Turbidity Monitoring and Response Plans, mussel relocations and fish relocations.

Jay Toews remains at the leading edge of his profession through continual professional development and contributes significant time in volunteer roles.  As owner of TECAS, Jay has served as the Northern and Western Canada Director for the North American Lake Management Society and as a scientific advisor to A Rocha Manitoba and the Riding Mountain UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Toews Environmental Consulting & Aquatic Sciences

Sound Science and Practical Solutions through Experience and Teamwork.