Related Websites

Water and Air Monitoring and Reporting

Environmental Databases

  1. Environmental Monitoring System
  2. EMS Web Reporting
  3. Environmental Data Sharing Agreement
  4. Authorization Management System (AMS)

1. Environmental Monitoring System (EMS)

EMS is the ministry's primary monitoring data repository. The system was designed to capture data covering physical/chemical and biological analyses performed on water, air, solid waste discharges and ambient monitoring sites throughout the province. It also contains related quality assurance data. Samples are collected by either ministry staff or permittees under the Environmental Management Act and then analyzed in public or private sector laboratories. The majority of such monitoring data is entered into EMS electronically via Electronic Data Transfer (EDT).

EMS data is typically available in formatted hard copy reports or electronically in comma delimited (e.g., .csv) files as:

  •   Monitoring-location-related data
  •   Sample- and results-related data

Direct access to EMS is restricted to ministry staff. However, the related data is available to the general public on request. A processing charge is applied to such data requests.

External data requests should be directed to regional ministry staff or to the EMS Helpdesk in Victoria. The EMS Helpdesk can be reached by email at: EMSHELP@gov.bc.ca.

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2. EMS Monitoring System: Web Reporting

The Environmental Monitoring System Web Reporting (EMS WR) provides read-only access to data in the Environmental Monitoring System. The purpose of EMS WR is to give registered ministry staff, B.C. health authorities and Qualified Environmental Professionals access to provincial environmental-quality sampling data, and to allow water purveyors access to specific drinking-water data in EMS.

EMS WR Website

EMS WR Online User Guide

3. Electronic Data Transfer (EDT)

EDT provides a relatively simple mechanism for permit holders and private laboratories to transfer the required data to EMS electronically.

Data Load File Formats (MS Word)

Electronic Data Transfer Guidelines and Responsibilities provides detailed information and instructions on how to submit data to EMS. Simplified instructions and file formats are also available for the following data transfer protocols and file formats:

Support Tables (MS Word)

EDT file formats include a number of data entry fields that are validated against EMS support tables. The following commonly used tables (in MS Excel) include the valid EMS codes and their associated names/descriptions. Updates to the tables may be posted periodically.

Error Interpretation

Environmental Data Sharing Agreement: Environment Canada and the Ministry of Environment, April 2004 (PDF/12 pages)

The data-sharing agreement helps Environment Canada (Pacific and Yukon Region) and the Ministry of Environment report out on the state of the environment. The agreement supports the effective exchange of air and water quality data. It is hoped that the agreement will be a model for other agencies.

4. Authorization Management System (AMS)

AMS is the ministry's waste permit administration system. It maintains data related to the administration of permits issued under the Environmental Management Act and registrations under various regulations where the regulation requires a discharger to register.

The system provides information about:

  • Companies or individuals permitted to discharge waste;
  • Type of business and locations at which waste disposal is permitted;
  • The types, amounts and frequency of waste products that are permitted to be discharged at
    given locations; and
  • fees associated with a discharge

For assistance, questions or external data requests please e-mail the EMS Helpdesk at EMSHELP@gov.bc.ca.

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For More Information:

Environmental Quality Branch
Ministry of Environment
Government of British Columbia

PO Box 9341
Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 9M1