Contents
- Environmental Protection
-
Water & Air Monitoring & Reporting
- Climate Related Monitoring Program (CRMP)
- Provincial Meteorological Networks Data Key
- Sampling, Methods and Quality Assurance
- Environmental Databases
The Monitoring Location tool allows you to find EMS monitoring locations based on a set of search criteria.
Monitoring Locations - Criteria page
When you click on the Monitoring Locations button on the main menu, the Monitoring Locations - Criteria page opens:

This page allows you to enter criteria to search for monitoring locations in the EMS database.
This table explains page items:
| Item Text [or image] | Item Type | Description | Notes |
| Main Menu | button | returns you to the main menu | You will lose any entered criteria. |
| ... (multi selection symbol) | link - multiple items | opens multi selection list related to that field | For details, see Multi selection lists |
| EMS ID | field | alphanumeric identifier for an EMS monitoring location | |
| Office | field | ministry office responsible for monitoring location | |
| Location Name | field | monitoring location name | |
| Date Established - From | field | restricts search to monitoring locations established on or after this date | Use this field to specify start date when selecting by a date range. |
| Date Established - To | field | restricts search to monitoring locations established on or before this date | Use this field to specify end date when selecting by a date range. |
| Active Site - Yes | radio button | restricts search to monitoring locations that have an active status | |
| Active Site - No | radio button | restricts search to inactive (closed) monitoring locations | |
| Active Site - Both | radio button | searches both active and inactive monitoring locations | |
| Study | field | searches for a study stored in EMS | A study in EMS is the grouping of a collection of samples. |
| Establishing Agency | field | searches for the agency that established the monitoring location | |
| Location Type | field | searches for the monitoring location type | For example, 13 = lake or pond |
| Purpose | field | searches for generic purpose of the monitoring locations | For example, 2 = trend |
| Source Class | field | searches for industrial source | related to air permits only |
| Discharge To | field | searches for receiving environment of emission or effluent discharge | |
| Latitude | field | searches for monitoring location latitude | You can enter decimal degrees or degrees, minutes, seconds. |
| Longitude | field | searches for monitoring location longitude | You can enter decimal degrees or degrees, minutes, seconds. |
| Radius | field | radius around a set point (lat, long) to be included in the search | If you enter radius, you must enter latitude. |
| Geo reference source | field | searches based on how latitude and longitude was collected | |
| Monitoring Group | field | searches for a monitoring group | A monitoring group represents a collection of monitoring locations in EMS. |
| Eco Region | field | [currently not functional] | |
| Permit Number | field | searches for number assigned to a permit | Enter only the numeric part of a permit number (e.g. for permit # PA01234 you would enter 1234 in this field). |
| Watershed Code | field | searches based on description of body of water's relationship to its watershed | |
| [globe] | linked image (beside Watershed Code field) | opens Watershed Dictionary - Standard Watershed Code Query page | For details, see Looking up watershed codes |
| Sample Start Date/Time - From | field | restricts search to include samples with a sample collection start date on or after this date | Use this field to specify the start date when selecting by range. |
| Sample Start Date/Time - To | field | restricts search to include samples with a sample collection start date on or before this date | Use this field to specify the end date when selecting by range. |
| Locations with Results - Yes | radio button | restricts search to monitoring locations with associated sample results | |
| Locations with Results - No | radio button | restricts search to monitoring locations with no sample results | |
| Locations with Results - Both | radio button | searches all monitoring locations (with and without sample results) | |
| No Results Since | field | restricts search to monitoring locations with no sampling results after the date specified | |
| Parameter | field | searches based on analytical test for which the result is reported (for example 0013 = Temperature) | For example 0013 = Temperature
Use this field to restrict search to monitoring locations with analytical results for a specific parameter. |
| retrieve | button | initiates validation of the entered search criteria | Successful validation opens the Monitoring Locations page; if there are validation error(s), they are displayed below the EMS WR menu bar in red. |
This page allows you to select the information you want to include in the Monitoring Locations report. It also allows you to name the report and retrieve the information from the EMS database.

This page allows you to choose which criteria you want to include in the monitoring locations report that you download. It also allows you to name the report.
This table explains page items:
| Item Text | Item Type | Description | Notes |
| Main Menu | button | returns you to the Main Menu | You will lose any entered criteria. |
| Your query has retrieved [number] records. | counter | indicates how many records were found based on your search criteria | |
| EMS ID | check box | alphanumeric identifier for an EMS monitoring location | |
| Location Name | check box | monitoring location name | |
| Location Description | check box | brief description of monitoring location | |
| Office Code | check box | office code for ministry office responsible for monitoring location | |
| Office Name | check box | office name for ministry office responsible for the monitoring location | |
| Est. Agency | check box | code indicating the agency that established the monitoring location | |
| Est. Agency Name | check box | name of agency that established the monitoring location | |
| Type Code | check box | code indicating the monitoring location type | |
| Type Description | check box | description of the monitoring location type | |
| Purpose Code | check box | code for monitoring location's general purpose | |
| Purpose Description | check box | description of monitoring location's purpose | |
| Discharge To Code | check box | code for receiving environment of emission or effluent discharge | |
| Discharge To Description | check box | description of receiving environment of emission or effluent discharge | |
| Latitude | check box | latitude for an established monitoring location in EMS | |
| Longitude | check box | longitude for an established monitoring location in EMS | |
| Elevation | check box | elevation for an established monitoring location in EMS | |
| Geo Source Ref Code | check box | code indicating how the latitude and longitude was collected | |
| Geo Ref Description | check box | description of how the latitude and longitude was collected | |
| Eco Region Code | check box | [currently not functional] | |
| Eco Region Description | check box | [currently not functional] | |
| Watershed | check box | code describing a body of water's relationship to its watershed | |
| Mobile Location Indicator | check box | indicates whether monitoring location is mobile | |
| Point/Area Indicator | check box | indicates whether monitoring location refers to a specific geographic point or to an area | |
| Established Date | check box | date monitoring location was established in EMS | |
| Closed Date | check box | date monitoring location was closed | |
| Legal Description | check box | legal description for plot of land where monitoring location is located | |
| Source Class Code | check box | code for industrial source | related to air permits only |
| Source Class Description | check box | industrial source description | related to air permits only |
| Source Class Narrative | check box | additional information related to source class | |
| Contaminated Site ID | check box | identifier for contaminated site to which monitoring location related | |
| Location Comment | check box | comments about monitoring location | |
| Number Of Samples | check box | number of samples associated with a monitoring location | |
| First Collection Start Date | check box | first sample collection date associated with monitoring location | |
| Latest Collection End Date | check box | last sample collection date associated with monitoring location | |
| Please enter a name for the retrieval to be created | field | allows you to enter a retrieval name for easy reference | For example, "jsmith locations" |
| OK | button | retrieves your search results from the EMS database, based on the criteria you have entered, and returns you to the Main Menu | To download your search results, click the download data button on the Main Menu. |
| Cancel | button | returns you to the Monitoring Locations - Criteria page | This is useful if you want to add additional criteria to narrow your search and reduce the number of records EMS WR retrieves. |
The Data Results tool allows you to create customized reports based on a broad range of search criteria.
Data Results - Criteria page (short)
When you click on the Data Results button on the main menu, the Data Results - Criteria page opens:

This screen allows you to enter search criteria to find EMS data that you can use to create and download a customized report.
Note: this screen image shows the short version of the Data Results - Criteria page. Clicking on the more button reveals the long version, which has more criteria fields.
This table explains page items:
| Item Text [or image] | Item Type | Description | Notes |
| Main Menu | button | returns you to the main menu | You will lose any entered criteria. |
| ... (multi selection symbol) | link - multiple items | opens multi selection list related to that field | For details, see Multi selection lists |
| EMS ID | field | alphanumeric identifier for an EMS monitoring location | |
| Location Name | field | monitoring location name | |
| Office | field | searches based on ministry office responsible for monitoring location | |
| Establishing Agency | field | searches based on agency that established monitoring location | |
| Location Type | field | searches based on monitoring location type | For example, 13 = lake or pond |
| Purpose | field | searches based on monitoring location's generic purpose | For example, 2 = Trend |
| Monitoring Group | field | searches for a monitoring group | A monitoring group represents a collection of monitoring locations in EMS. |
| Study | field | searches for a study stored in EMS | A study in EMS is the grouping of a collection of samples. |
| Start Date/Time - From | field | restricts search to samples with a collection start date on or after this date | Use this field to specify start date when selecting by range. |
| Start Date/Time - To | field | restricts search samples with a collection start date on or before this date | Use this field to specify end date when selecting by range. |
| Specific Months | field | restricts search to analytical results from specified month | Enter a single month in numerical format (01 = January, 02 = February, etc.). |
| State | field | searches for a sample type | For example, FW = Fresh Water |
| Descriptor | field | searches for further description of sample type | For example, GE = General |
| Collect Method | field | searches based on method used to collect the sample | For example, GRB = Grab |
| Class | field | searches for general class of the sample | For example REG = Regular |
| Analyzing Agency | field | searches based on agency which performed sample analysis | |
| Sampling Agency | field | searches based on agency that collected the sample | |
| Upper Depth - From | field | restricts search to samples with an upper (shallower) depth at or deeper than this depth | Use this field to specify the upper depth when selecting by depth range; expressed in meters (m) in the format 9999.99 |
| Upper Depth - To | field | restricts search to samples with an upper (shallower) depth at or shallower than this depth | Use this field to specify the lower depth when selecting by depth range; expressed in meters (m) in the format 9999.99 |
| Parameter | field | searches based on analytical test for which the result is reported | For example 0013 = Temperature
Use this field to restrict search to monitoring locations with analytical results for a specific parameter. |
| Data Index | field | restricts search to samples with the specified data index | The data index groups the data according to the QA indexes for reporting purposes. |
| Analytical Method | field | searches based on analytical method used to determine the result | |
| QA Index | field | restricts search to samples with the specified QA index | The QA index indicates the level of confidence in the results. |
| Taxonomic ID | field | searches based on the taxonomic classification of the identified organisms | |
| More | button | displays long version of the Data Results - Criteria [long] page | After you click More button, its text changes to "less". |
| Retrieve | button | initiates validation of the entered search criteria | Successful validation opens the Data Results page; if there are validation error(s), they are displayed below the EMS WR menu bar in red. |
Data Results - Criteria page (long)
When you click the More button on the Data Results - Criteria page, the long version of the page opens (this image shows only the page extension):

Note: when you click the more button to reveal the long version of the Data Results - Criteria page, the button text changes to "less".
This table explains page items:
| Item Text [or image] | Item Type | Description | Notes |
| ... (multi selection symbol) | link - multiple items | opens multi selection list related to that field | for details, see Multi selection lists |
| Less | button | displays short version of the Data Results - Criteria page | After you click less button, its text changes to "more". |
| Taxonomic ID | field | searches based on the taxonomic classification of the identified organisms | |
| Lab Arrival Date/Time - From | field | Restricts search to samples with a lab arrival date on or after this date | Use this field to specify start date when selecting by range. |
| Lab Arrival Date/Time - To | field | restricts search to samples with a lab arrival date on or before this date | Use this field to specify end date when selecting by range. |
| Lab Arrival Temperature - From | field | restricts search to samples with a lab arrival temperature at or below this temperature (in degrees Celsius (ºC)) | Use this field to specify lower temperature when selecting by range. |
| Lab Arrival Temperature - To | field | restricts search to samples with a lab arrival temperature at or above this temperature (in degrees Celsius (ºC)) | Use this field to specify upper temperature when selecting by range. |
| Requisition | field | searches based on numeric identifier for the requisition form that accompanies one or more samples when submitted to the lab | |
| Latitude | field | searches for monitoring location latitude | You can enter decimal degrees or degrees, minutes, seconds. |
| Longitude | field | searches for monitoring location longitude | You can enter decimal degrees or degrees, minutes, seconds. |
| Radius | field | radius around a set point (lat, long) to be included in the search | If you enter radius, you must enter latitude. |
| Watershed Code | field | searches based on description of body of water's relationship to its watershed | |
| [globe] | linked image (beside Watershed Code field) | Opens Watershed Dictionary - Standard Watershed Code Query page | For details, see Looking up watershed codes |
| Eco Region | field | [currently not functional] | |
| Mobile Location - Yes | radio button | restricts search to analytical results associated with mobile monitoring locations | |
| Mobile Location - No | radio button | restricts search to analytical results associated with non-mobile monitoring locations | |
| Mobile Location - Both | radio button | searches analytical results associated with both mobile and non-mobile monitoring locations | |
| Not Assigned to a Location - Yes | radio button | restricts search to analytical results not associated with a monitoring location | |
| Not Assigned to a Location - No | radio button | restricts search to analytical results associated with a monitoring location | |
| Not Assigned to a Location - Both | radio button | search analytical results associated and not associated with a monitoring location | |
| Blind - Yes | radio button | restricts search to blind samples | |
| Blind - No | radio button | restricts search to non-blind samples | |
| Blind - Both | radio button | searches all samples | default |
| Lab Batch ID | field | internal laboratory identifier logically grouping a series of samples for the purpose of performing the same analytical methodology | |
| Lab Sample ID | field | internal identifier that laboratory assigns to a sample | |
| Analytical Date/Time - From | field | restricts search to analytical results with a analytical date on or after this date | Use this field to specify start date when selecting by date range. |
| Analytical Date/Time - To | field | restricts search to analytical results with a analytical date on or before this date | Use this field to specify end date when selecting by date range. |
| Result - From | field | restricts search to analytical results with this value or higher | Use this field to specify lower result when selecting by range. |
| Result - To | field | restricts search to analytical results with this value or lower | Use this field to specify higher result when selecting by range. |
| Result - Units | drop-down list | searches based on units of the result | For example, 001 = mg/L; you must enter unit code if you entered a result range. |
| Standard | radio button | displays search results in standard units | Default |
| Submitted | radio button | displays search results in the units they were submitted | i.e. does not convert the results to standard units |
| retrieve | button | initiates validation of the entered search criteria | Successful validation opens the Data Results page; if there are validation error(s), they are displayed below the EMS WR menu bar in red. |
This page allows you to select the information you want to include in the Data Results report. It also allows you to name the report and retrieve the information from the EMS database.

This page allows you to choose the criteria you want to include in the data results report that you download. It also allows you to name the report.
This table explains page items:
| Item Text [or image] | Item Type | Description | Notes |
| Main Menu | button | returns you to the Main Menu. | You will lose any entered criteria. |
| Your query has retrieved [number] records | counter | indicates how many records your search criteria matched | |
| Frequency | Sample Detail radio button | retrieves results individually (one record for every sample) | default |
| Frequency - Monthly Average | radio button | calculates and returns monthly averages for the results | |
| Frequency - Weekly Average | radio button | calculates and returns weekly averages for the results | |
| Frequency - Yearly Average | radio button | calculates and returns yearly averages for the results | |
| EMS ID | check box | alphanumeric identifier for an EMS monitoring location |
|
| Location Name | check box | monitoring location name | |
| Longitude | check box | longitude for an established monitoring location in EMS | |
| Latitude | check box | latitude for an established monitoring location in EMS | |
| Collect. Start Date |
check box | date and time when sample collection started | |
| Collect. End Date | check box | date and time when sample collection ended | |
| State Code | check box | code indicating sample type | |
| State Description | check box | description of sample type | |
| Descriptor Code | check box | code further describing sample type | |
| Descriptor Name | check box | name further describing sample type | |
| Class Code | check box | code indicating general class of sample | |
| Class Name | check box | general class name of sample | |
| Collect. Method Code |
check box | code indicating method used to collect sample | |
| Collect. Method Name | check box | name of method used to collect sample | |
| Sampling Agency | check box | code indicating agency that collected sample | |
| Analyzing Agency | check box | code indicating agency that performed analysis on sample | |
| Ministry Contact | check box | user ID of the ministry staff responsible for the sample | |
| Sampler | check box | person who collected the sample | |
| Requisition Number | check box | numeric identifier for requisition form that accompanies one or more samples submitted to lab | |
| Lab Arrival Temp | check box | sample temperature at time of arrival to lab in degrees Celsius (ºC) | |
| Lab Arrival Date | check box | date that sample arrived at laboratory | |
| Upper Depth | check box | upper (shallower) depth at which sample taken | expressed in metres (m) |
| Lower Depth | check box | lower (deeper) depth at which sample taken | expressed in metres (m) |
| Tide Code | check box | code indicating the state of the tide for marine or estuarine samples | selecting includes this specific data item in the data retrieval for download |
| Tide Name | check box | name given for the state of the tide for marine or estuarine samples | selecting includes this specific data item in the data retrieval for download |
| Upper Height | check box | upper height at which sample taken | expressed in metres (m) |
| Lower Height | check box | lower height at which sample taken | expressed in metres (m) |
| Flow | check box | rate of air flow | expressed in cubic metres (m3) |
| Flow Units | check box | measurement unit code for air flow | For example, 220 = m3 |
| Direction Code | check box | direction code | For example, NN = North |
| Parameter Code | check box | name of test for a reported result, along with the measurement unit | For example, Lead-Total (mg/) |
| Parameter Name | check box | name of test for a reported result | |
| Analytical Method Code | check box | code indicating analytical method used to determine result | |
| Analytical Method Name | check box | description of analytical method used to determine result | |
| Result Letter | check box | letter or symbol describing the results | valid values: <, >, M |
| Result | check box | numeric result value determined | |
| Confidence Interval | check box | confidence interval for the Parameter/Analytic Method | |
| Continuous Maximum | check box | maximum numeric value for a continuous sample result | |
| Continuous Minimum | check box | minimum numeric value for a continuous sample result | |
| Continuous Duration | check box | duration in time over which a continuous sample taken | |
| Continuous Duration Units | check box | code indicating time units used to measure duration for a continuous sample | |
| # of Data Points | check box | number of data points used to calculate a result for a continuous sample | |
| QA Index | check box | indicates level of confidence in result | |
| Result Comment | check box | comments about the result | |
| Parameters Across | check box | allows for the display of parameters and their results vertically | default displays parameters horizontally |
| Please enter a name for the retrieval to be created | field | allows you to enter a retrieval name for easy reference | |
| OK | button | retrieves your search results from the EMS database, based on the criteria you have entered, and returns you to the Main Menu | To download your search results, click the Download Data button on the Main Menu. |
| Cancel | button | returns you to the Data Results - Criteria page | This is useful if you want to add additional criteria to narrow your search and reduce the number of records EMS WR retrieves |
The Download Data tool allows you to download the files you create with the Monitoring Locations and Data Results tools.
When you click on the Download Files button on the main menu, the Download Files page opens:

This page lists the files you have retrieved using the Monitoring Locations and Data Results tools,
and allows you to download them to your computer.
This table explains page items:
| Item Text | Item Type | Description | Notes |
| Main Menu | button | returns you to the Main Menu | You will lose any entered criteria |
| Your query has retrieved [number] records. | counter | indicates how many records your search criteria matched | |
| Frequency - Sample Detail | radio button | retrieves results individually (one record for every sample) | default |
| Frequency - Monthly Average | radio button | calculates and returns monthly averages for the results | |
| Frequency - Weekly Average | radio button | calculates and returns weekly averages for the results | |
| Frequency - Yearly Average | radio button | calculates and returns yearly averages for the results | |
| EMS ID | check box | alphanumeric identifier for an EMS monitoring location | |
| Location Name | check box | monitoring location name | |
| Longitude | check box | longitude for an established monitoring location in EMS | |
| Latitude | check box | latitude for an established monitoring location in EMS | |
| Collect. Start Date | check box | date and time when sample collection started | |
| Collect. End Date | check box | date and time when sample collection ended | |
| State Code | check box | code indicating sample type | |
| State Description | check box | description of sample type | |
| Descriptor Code | check box | code further describing sample type | |
| Descriptor Name | check box | name further describing sample type | |
| Class Code | check box | code indicating general class of sample | |
| Class Name | check box | general class name of sample | |
| Collect. Method Code | check box | code indicating method used to collect sample | |
| Collect. Method Name | check box | name of method used to collect sample | |
| Sampling Agency | check box | code indicating agency that collected sample | |
| Analyzing Agency | check box | code indicating agency that performed analysis on sample | |
| Ministry Contact | check box | user ID of the ministry staff responsible for the sample | |
| Sampler | check box | person who collected the sample | |
| Requisition Number | check box | numeric identifier for requisition form that accompanies one or more samples submitted to lab | |
| Lab Arrival Temp | check box | sample temperature at time of arrival to lab in degrees Celsius (ºC) | |
| Lab Arrival Date | check box | date that sample arrived at laboratory | |
| Upper Depth | check box | upper (shallower) depth at which sample taken | expressed in meters (m) |
| Lower Depth | check box | lower (deeper) depth at which sample taken | expressed in meters (m) |
| Tide Code | check box | code indicating the state of the tide for marine or estuarine samples | selecting includes this specific data item in the data retrieval for download |
| Tide Name | check box | name given for the state of the tide for marine or estuarine samples | selecting includes this specific data item in the data retrieval for download |
| Upper Height | check box | upper height at which sample taken | expressed in meters (m) |
| Lower Height | check box | lower height at which sample taken | expressed in meters (m) |
| Flow | check box | rate of air flow | expressed in cubic meters (m3) |
| Flow Units | check box | measurement unit code for air flow | For example, 220 = m3 |
| Direction Code | check box | direction code | For example, NN = North |
| Parameter Code | check box | name of test for a reported result, along with the measurement unit | For example, Lead-Total (mg/) |
| Parameter Name | check box | name of test for a reported result | |
| Analytical Method Code | check box | code indicating analytical method used to determine result | |
| Analytical Method Name | check box | description of analytical method used to determine result | |
| Result Letter | check box | letter or symbol describing the results | valid values: <, >, M |
| Result | check box | numeric result value determined | |
| Confidence Interval | check box | confidence interval for the Parameter/Analytical Method | |
| Continuous Maximum | check box | maximum numeric value for a continuous sample result | |
| Continuous Minimum | check box | minimum numeric value for a continuous sample result | |
| Continuous Duration | check box | duration in time over which a continuous sample taken | |
| Continuous Duration Units | check box | code indicating time units used to measure duration for a continuous sample | |
| # of Data Points | check box | number of data points used to calculate a result for a continuous sample | |
| QA Index | check box | indicates level of confidence in result | |
| Result Comment | check box | comments about the result | |
| Parameters Across | check box | allows for the display of parameters and their results vertically | default displays parameters horizontally |
| Please enter a name for the retrieval to be created | field | allows you to enter a retrieval name for easy reference | |
| OK | button | retrieves your search results from the EMS database, based on the criteria you have entered, and returns you to the Main Menu | To download your search results, click the download data button on the Main Menu. |
| Cancel | button | returns you to the Data Results - Criteria page | This is useful if you want to add additional criteria to narrow your search and reduce the number of records EMS WR retrieves |