Air Quality

Photo credit: Ruth Delorme-Roy

Air is one of our most precious resources, and is vital to life on earth.  Maintaining good air quality in the Northwest Territories (NWT) is an important factor in environmental protection and the protection of human health.  Sources of air pollution that affect our air quality are both natural, such as emissions from forest fires, and anthropogenic (man-made),

such as industrial, vehicular, and home heating emissions. Generally the air quality in the NWT is good, and in accordance with the national strategy of Keeping Clean Areas Clean, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) is striving to keep it that way.

ENR’s Role in Air Quality

Air quality in the NWT is governed by both federal and territorial jurisdictions.  ENR generally regulates air quality activities on commissioner’s land, under the Environmental Protection Act.  While not carrying out direct management and enforcement activities on federal lands across much of the NWT, ENR strive;s to ensure an equivalent level of environmental protection throughout the Territory, including the management of air quality.  ENR provides advice and recommendations on air quality to federal regulatory agencies, industry, and other parties.

Air Quality Monitoring

ENR operates an air quality monitoring program, consisting of four (4) state-of-the-art, continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations across the NWT.  By monitoring the levels of dust and chemicals in the air, ENR can report pollution when it happens.  The Department also watches for trends over the years.  This network is part of the National Air Pollution Surveillance Network (NAPS), a federal program operated across the country.

Photo credit: D. Downing/GNWT

The data from our 4 stations is available in almost real-time to the public - see our Air Quality Monitoring Program for information on the monitoring network, including current and historical information. 

ENR also works collaboratively with Environment Canada’s Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN) run the CAPMoN precipitation station at Snare Rapids, which has been operating for close to 3 decades.  This station is designed to assist in studying the regional patterns and trends of atmospheric pollutants in both air and precipitation. 

Links

NWT Air Quality Monitoring Network

Air Quality Regulations and Guidelines: