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Site risk classification

Last updated on March 30, 2026

Risk classification is based on information gathered during a site investigation that is evaluated to tell what type of environmental risk exists at a site. Contaminated sites are typically classified as high risk or non-high risk. The ministry uses the Site Risk Classification Report (SRCR) to make this determination. If a site is high risk, the ministry must be involved to make sure it is carefully investigated and cleaned up. 

Qualified professionals must prepare and submit a Site Risk Classification Report on behalf of the person who is responsible for contamination.

On this page​​

Determine if you need to submit a Site Risk Classification Report 

A Site Risk Classification Report is required when you submit a:

  • Notification of Independent Remediation Initiation (NIRI)
  • Release notice application for scenarios 2 or 3 after conducting site investigations
  • Contaminated Sites Services Application (CSSA)
  • Notification of Actual or Likely Migration (NOM)
    • You must submit a Site Risk Classification Report for each affected site listed on the NOM that is, or likely is, high risk

You must also submit an SRCR if:

  • You are ordered to by a director of waste management
  • It's been one year since you decommissioned or ceased operations at a site

Read more:

Before completing a Site Risk Classification Report

Check if exemptions apply

You may not need to submit a SRCR if:

  • The remediation is part of a spill response, either reportable or non-reportable 
  • You submitted a SRCR within the last 5 years and the information has not changed
  • The application is for a determination that a site is not contaminated
  • The site is used for upstream oil and gas activities (administered by the BC Energy Regulator)
  • The contamination comes from a residential heating oil storage tank that meets conditions listed in Section 5.3.5 of Protocol 12

Complete a Site Risk Classification Report 

Step 1: Fill out a Site Risk Classification Report

  • Review the requirements if you are applying for services for the first time
  • Submit a new SRCR if you previously submitted an older version

For Section 7: Fill out the type of risk classification at your site. Learn about different site classification types and their submission requirements: 

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High risk

A site is high risk if it meets either of these conditions:

  • Condition 1: Mobile Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid is present
    • Refer to Protocol 16 for NAPL presence and mobility criteria
  • Condition 2: People or the environment will likely be exposed to specific concentrations (Upper cap concentrations) of contaminants
    • If this applies, you must fill out an Exposure Pathway Questionnaire

Additional documents to submit with your SRCR 

  • Contaminated Sites Services Application
  • Exposure Pathway Questionnaire (EPQ), if required
    • An EPQ must also be submitted for affected parcels where upper cap concentrations are, or are likely, present
  • Detailed Site Condition Report (DSCR)
  • Summary of how you will clean up (remedial methods) the high risk conditions
  • Schedule for completing remediation

You may also be required to submit interim reporting, and this will be communicated to you if required.

 

Non-high risk

A site is non-high risk if it:

  • Does not meet the criteria for high risk
  • Has been reclassified from high risk to non-high risk through application to the ministry, OR
  • Has been reclassified from risk-managed high risk to non-high risk through application to the ministry

Additional documents to submit with your SRCR 

An EPQ with your SRCR if any upper cap concentrations (UCC) are present in the site media.

 

Pending

A site is classified as pending when:

  • You need more investigation to understand the contamination, or
  • You are doing independent remediation and will clean up high risk conditions within 90 days

If remediation of high risk conditions takes more than 90 days, the site becomes high risk.

If you need to investigate further

You must provide:

  • A schedule for completing site remediation
  • A timeline for submitting the SRCR

Once site investigation is done, you must resubmit a new SRCR with the new site classification.

If you've submitted a Notification of Independent Remediation and remediation will take less than 90 days

At the start of remediation, submit:

  • A confirmation from a Qualified Professional (QP) that remediation will be completed within 90 days
  • SRCR and EPQ (if UCC is present)

At the end of remediation, submit a:

A QP must submit an updated SRCR and supporting information on or before the 90th day. The ministry will review your submission and confirm the site risk classification.

If you miss the deadline or cleanup takes longer than 90 days, the site becomes high risk.

If you've submitted a Notification of Independent Remediation and remediation will take more than 90 days

At the start of remediation, submit a:

At the end of remediation of high risk conditions, submit a:

  • Contaminated Sites Services Application (CSSA)
  • SRCR, EPQ (if UCC is present), confirming that the site is no longer high risk, signed by an Approved Professional (AP).
  • Summary of Site Conditions, signed by an AP.
  • Confirmation of Remediation Report, signed by an AP.

Note: Interim reporting may be required. The ministry will notify you of the frequency and requirements for interim reporting.

Once you have completed remediation of high risk conditions, you can apply to reclassify the site. 

 

Risk-managed high risk

You cannot declare a site as risk-managed high risk on your own. You must apply to the ministry for a reclassification decision after you've managed any high risk conditions at your site. Learn more about reclassifying a site. 

 Step 2: Email a PDF copy of the form to the Site Information Advisor

Reclassify a site to risk-managed high risk or non-high risk

If your site is currently high risk, you can apply to reclassify it as: 

  • Non-high risk, if you've cleaned up contamination
  • Risk-managed high risk, if you've used risk-management measures to control high risk conditions

What you must submit

  • Contaminated Sites Services Application (CSSA)  
  • Exposure Pathway Questionnaire (if UCC present) along with your SRCR confirming that high risk conditions have been remediated 
  • Confirmation of Remediation of High Risk Conditions Report
  • Performance Verification Plan if you are reclassifying your site to risk-managed high risk 
  • Summary of Site Condition

All reports must be signed by an Approved Professional when applying for a reclassification.  

The information on this web page does not replace the legislative requirements in the EMA or its regulations and it does not list all provisions for contaminated site services.

If there are differences between this information and the Act, Regulation, or Protocols, the Act, Regulation, and Protocols apply.