Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM)

Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) studies are required under two regulations administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) under the Fisheries Act, the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations (PPER) and the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER). These regulations authorize the deposit of effluent containing harmful substances into water bodies frequented by fish under strict conditions, the requirement to conduct EEM studies being one of them. The purpose of EEM studies is to determine how effectively regulations protect fish, fish habitat, and the use of fish by humans. To do so, they examine, directly in aquatic ecosystems, whether exposure to effluent results in effects on fish populations, the benthic invertebrate community (an indicator of fish habitat quality), or leads to contamination of fish by substances harmful to human health (e.g., dioxins and furans, or mercury). 


The data collected under EEM studies include contaminant concentrations in effluent and water, the results of sublethal toxicity tests conducted on the effluent, benthic invertebrate densities by taxon, fish characteristics (for example, body weight and length), and contaminant concentrations in fish tissues. These data are generally collected in areas exposed to the effluent and in reference areas and are used to determine the presence and, if applicable, the magnitude and cause of observed effects related to effluent exposure. Mills and mines present their analysis and interpretation of EEM data in interpretive reports. Under certain conditions, the PPER also requires mills to identify possible solutions to eliminate their effects, which are also presented in these reports. Information on the characteristics of receiving environments, the studies conducted, and the sampling methods applied are provided in study designs. For more details on EEM studies, please consult the EEM website or the PPER and MDMER. 


ECCC’s goal is to make all of the EEM data reported by mills and mines publicly available. For now, data related to effluent characterization, sublethal toxicity testing and water quality monitoring required under the MDMER, and sublethal toxicity testing required under the PPER, are available. These data are published as reported by facilities and have not been verified for accuracy and completeness. Any questions concerning this data may be directed to the following email: EEM-ESEE@ec.gc.ca 


Study designs and associated interpretive reports can be requested directly from facilities or through an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request to the Government of Canada.


Complementary datasets:


The EEM datasets for metal and diamond mines complement the deleterious substances and pH monitoring of mining effluent and acute lethality testing conducted by mines under the MDMER, whose results can be found on the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations compliance data page, linked below.


The EEM dataset for pulp and paper mills complements the effluent monitoring and acute lethality testing conducted by mills under the PPER, whose results can be found on the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations Data page, linked below.

Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada | Environnement et Changement climatique Canada