More topics

Environmental Monitoring Data System

Last updated on March 9, 2026

The Environmental Monitoring Data System (EnMoDS) is the ministry's primary database for environmental monitoring data.

On this page

New and improved database

Like EMS before it, EnMoDS is designed to store results from discrete water, air, soil and biological samples collected from ambient and permit monitoring sites across the province.

All information from EMS has been transferred to EnMoDS.

EnMoDS Electronic Data Transfer (EDT)

  • When uploading data files in EDT some users may see incorrect sample and observation counts on the dashboard. These problems are being investigated. If your file status is 'submitted' your file has been successfully imported and no further action is required.
  • Fish taxonomic information cannot be uploaded to EnMoDS at this time. A fix is actively being worked on and scheduled for deployment in April. 

 

Launch EnMoDS EDT

A video training session and user guide for EnMoDS EDT are available to show new data providers how to format and upload environmental monitoring data.

EnMoDS Electronic Data Transfer training session

 

EnMoDS EDT User Guide

The EnMoDS EDT User Guide (PDF, 1.6MB) provides step-by-step instructions for successfully uploading data to the EnMoDS database.

Data analysis

Data is collected by:

  • Ministry staff, or
  • Permit holders under the Environmental Management Act (EMA), or
  • Authorized third parties

Data is analyzed in public or private sector laboratories.

If the sampling is conducted as part of a permit requirement, the sample must be analyzed at a qualified laboratory. Most monitoring data will be entered into EnMoDS electronically via Electronic Data Transfer (EDT). EDT provides a mechanism for private laboratories and certified third parties to upload data into the EnMoDS.

Resources

If you’re an EMS data provider, you’ll need to make significant changes to your upload files to continue submitting data to the province.

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Terminology changes for data providers

  • Data Classification: A new term used to separate data based on its classification. Examples are lab, surrogate result, field result, field survey, activity result and vertical profile. Depending on the data classification, more or less metadata is required to upload. Review the reference list below for more details on how to correctly use data classification.
  • Activity: Similar to EMS sample, but more flexible. Example attributes of an activity include date time, location, sample medium (matrix), depth and collection method.
  • Specimen: New to EnMoDS, this represents the smallest differentiable unit of an activity. For example, a single activity may have a series of specimens for things, such as total metals, dissolved metals and total nutrients. Each specimen has attributes, such as if it was field filtered, what preservative was used, which lab analyzed it, what the temperature was on arrival, etc.
  • Project: A new term used to sort data. If you’re uploading data on behalf of a permit holder under the EMA, you’ll use the permit number as the project.
  • Observed Properties: Similar to EMS parameters, but with some key differences, both in terms of structure and are more broadly applied. You will not be able to use EMS parameter codes. You can use these observed properties.
  • Reference Lists: Formally known as EDT support tables. Refer to the menu below.
 

Data entry template

Data files can be in either .csv or .xlsx formats.

There are four data types that can be entered into the template for submission: 

Examples with mock data to see what the final data files should look like:

 

Reference list

 

Previous communications

 

 

Contact information

Questions and feedback
EnMoDSHelp@gov.bc.ca