Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMI-URB-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

260 µS/cm

Range: 180 to 780 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: 180, Upper: 780

Optimal Range: 180 to 780

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

Benchmark for Continental Islands (e.g., Whitsunday Islands, Magnetic Island): 260 µS/cmThis value is the 50th percentile WQO for HEV Fresh Waters on the Whitsunday Islands.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) as the 50th percentile Water Quality Objective (WQO) for High Ecological Value (HEV) Fresh Waters on the Whitsunday Islands.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the natural range of electrical conductivity for continental islands in the Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome under urban and developed land use, based on the 50th percentile Water Quality Objective for High Ecological Value Fresh Waters on the Whitsunday Islands.

Justification:

Direct use of legally recognized Water Quality Objective documents published by the Queensland Government under the EPP (Water and Wetland Biodiversity).

Sources (1)

Preview of Moreton Bay, North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke, Moreton and Moreton Bay Islands Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives (June 2022)

Moreton Bay, North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke, Moreton and Moreton Bay Islands Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives (June 2022) Journal

Moreton Bay, North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke, Moreton and Moreton Bay Islands Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives (June 2022)

View Source

Supporting Sources (7)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Northern Territory Government (2020) Darwin Harbour Region Water Quality Objectives, Report Card Section 3.0.

View Source

Preview of Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed May 15, 2025,

Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Diatom0water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

View Source

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 - Queensland Legislation

Regulatory Framework Government

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 - Queensland Legislation

View Source

National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

Methodology Source

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ...

View Source

Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed August 4, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO Research Publications Repository

View Source

Urbanization Effects on Watershed Hydrology and In-Stream Processes in the Southern United States - MDPI

Contextual Support Journal

Urbanization Effects on Watershed Hydrology and In-Stream Processes in the Southern United States - MDPI

View Source

Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark represents the natural range of electrical conductivity for continental islands, with the functional range derived from the 20th to 80th percentiles of reference data. Exceeding the upper threshold indicates ecological harm.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-URB-WEC family.