Water Turbidity

AUS-TMI-AGR-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

5 NTU
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the proposed benchmark for water turbidity in surface waters of catchments with best-practice agricultural crop production is 5 NTU.

Metric Definition:

Water turbidity in surface waters of catchments with best-practice agricultural crop production

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the 80th percentile of baseline turbidity in low-intensity agricultural catchments within the Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome, indicating high environmental health under sustainable agricultural land use.

Justification:

Derived from a comprehensive CSIRO study on Norfolk Island representing a proxy for high environmental health under sustainable agricultural land use.

Sources (1)

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

Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO

View Source

Supporting Sources (43)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 1788 Farming on Norfolk Island - Australian Food Timeline, accessed July 27, 2025,
1788 Farming on Norfolk Island - Australian Food Timeline, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Irrelevant

1788 Farming on Norfolk Island - Australian Food Timeline, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Management Practices - Farmers for Climate Action, accessed July 30, 2025
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Management Practices - Farmers for Climate Action, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Sustainability & Organics on Norfolk Island - YouTube, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

VEGETATION 0}' LORD HOWE ISLAND - Botanic Gardens of Sydney

View Source
Preview of Agriculture - Develop Tiwi, accessed July 27, 2025,
Agriculture - Develop Tiwi, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Agriculture - Develop Tiwi, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Australia's bioregions (IBRA) - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
Australia's bioregions (IBRA) - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA), Version 7 (Regions)

View Source
Preview of Australia's hidden agricultural legacy - Integrate Sustainability, accessed July 27, 2025,
Australia's hidden agricultural legacy - Integrate Sustainability, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australia's hidden agricultural legacy - Integrate Sustainability, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Categories - Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 27, 2025,
Categories - Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Government

Categories - Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

How Past Rainfall Shapes Australia's Dryland Ecosystems - Western Sydney University

View Source
Preview of Climate of Australia - Wikipedia, accessed July 13, 2025
Climate of Australia - Wikipedia, accessed July 13, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Climate of Australia - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Conservation | Lord Howe Island, accessed August 3, 2025,
Conservation | Lord Howe Island, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support

History | Christmas Island National Park | Parks Australia

View Source
Preview of CSIRO collaborates with Indigenous-centred prawn farm on Tiwi Islands | The Fish Site, accessed July 27, 2025,
CSIRO collaborates with Indigenous-centred prawn farm on Tiwi Islands | The Fish Site, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Aboriginal aquaculture | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Diving deeper into nutrient pathways to help protect Lord Howe Island's marine haven, accessed August 4, 2025,
Diving deeper into nutrient pathways to help protect Lord Howe Island's marine haven, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing urban and non-agricultural run-off to the Reef ..., accessed August 2, 2025

View Source
Preview of Ecological Regions Of Australia - WorldAtlas, accessed July 27, 2025,
Ecological Regions Of Australia - WorldAtlas, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Ecological Regions Of Australia - WorldAtlas, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,
Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Regulatory Framework Government

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment

View Source
Preview of Frequently asked questions | Report card 2021 and 2022 | Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,
Frequently asked questions | Report card 2021 and 2022 | Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Queensland Government. (2024). Reef Water Quality Report Card 2021 and 2022: Frequently asked questions. 45

View Source
Preview of Frequently asked questions: Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan and 2017 Scientific Consensus Statement, accessed July 27, 2025,
Frequently asked questions: Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan and 2017 Scientific Consensus Statement, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

PORT OF ROCKHAMPTON WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM: 2022 ANNUAL REPORT, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Herbert River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
Herbert River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ...

View Source
Preview of Hunt and Gather the Island way. - Norfolk Island Stories, accessed July 27, 2025,
Hunt and Gather the Island way. - Norfolk Island Stories, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Irrelevant

Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment Executive Summary, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Indigenous-centred prawn farm collaboration to make a splash on Tiwi Islands - CSIRO, accessed July 27, 2025,
Indigenous-centred prawn farm collaboration to make a splash on Tiwi Islands - CSIRO, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Unlocking aquaculture potential in Australia's Top End - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ...

View Source
Preview of Land Council Environment Policy, accessed July 27, 2025,
Land Council Environment Policy, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Land Council Environment Policy, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,
Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Geology | Norfolk Island National Park | Parks Australia

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Marine Park News Water Quality Research Collaboration, accessed August 3, 2025,
Lord Howe Island Marine Park News Water Quality Research Collaboration, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Diving deeper into nutrient pathways to help protect Lord Howe Island's marine haven, accessed August 4, 2025

View Source
Preview of Marine Water Quality | TSRA State of the Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,
Marine Water Quality | TSRA State of the Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Marine Water Quality | TSRA State of the Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,
National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

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

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project | Department of ..., accessed August 4, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project | Department of ..., accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence

Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment, accessed July 30, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment, accessed July 30, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Climate-Affected Australian Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Plants: Metabolomic Profiles, Isolated Phytochemicals, and Bioactivities - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island: the ultimate self-sufficiency challenge - - NZ Life & Leisure, accessed July 27, 2025,
Norfolk Island: the ultimate self-sufficiency challenge - - NZ Life & Leisure, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Irrelevant

Norfolk Island: the ultimate self-sufficiency challenge - - NZ Life & Leisure, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Pacific Subtropical Islands - Wikipedia, accessed July 27, 2025,
Pacific Subtropical Islands - Wikipedia, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Pacific Subtropical Islands - Wikipedia, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Report series: Impacts of pressures on water quality AGRICULTURE | Catchments.ie, accessed July 27, 2025,
Report series: Impacts of pressures on water quality AGRICULTURE | Catchments.ie, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Report series: Impacts of pressures on water quality AGRICULTURE | Catchments.ie, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The intact and the imperilled: contrasting mammal population trajectories between two large adjacent islands - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025,
The intact and the imperilled: contrasting mammal population trajectories between two large adjacent islands - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The intact and the imperilled: contrasting mammal population trajectories between two large adjacent islands - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Thornleigh Farm - Lord Howe Island, accessed July 27, 2025,
Thornleigh Farm - Lord Howe Island, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Thornleigh Farm - Lord Howe Island, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Thornleigh Farm, accessed July 27, 2025,
Thornleigh Farm, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support

Thornleigh Farm, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Islands Indigenous Protected Area | Plan of Management 2023-2033, accessed July 30, 2025, ).pdf
Tiwi Islands Indigenous Protected Area | Plan of Management 2023-2033, accessed July 30, 2025, ).pdf
Contextual Support

Tiwi Islands Fire and Weed Management Plan 2021

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Traditional Owners are hoping to share their island delicacy with the world | SBS NITV, accessed July 27, 2025,
Tiwi Traditional Owners are hoping to share their island delicacy with the world | SBS NITV, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Tiwi Traditional Owners are hoping to share their island delicacy with the world | SBS NITV, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Torres Strait Islander peoples | Culture, History & Language | Britannica, accessed July 27, 2025,
Torres Strait Islander peoples | Culture, History & Language | Britannica, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Torres Strait Islander peoples | Culture, History & Language | Britannica, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Torres Strait Islands - Wikipedia, accessed July 27, 2025,
Torres Strait Islands - Wikipedia, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Torres Strait Islands - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of TSRA Groundwater Monitoring: Final Report 2022, accessed August 3, 2025,
TSRA Groundwater Monitoring: Final Report 2022, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Identifying water quality and ecosystem health threats to the Torres Strait from runoff arising from mine-derived pollution of the Fly River - NESP TWQ, accessed August 3, 2025

View Source
Preview of Water Quality – how healthy is the sea in Torres Strait, and what are the risks? - eAtlas, accessed August 4, 2025,
Water Quality – how healthy is the sea in Torres Strait, and what are the risks? - eAtlas, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Monitoring progress | Protecting the Great Barrier Reef, accessed August 4, 2025

View Source
Preview of Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,
Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Drivers of water quality in Afromontane-savanna rivers - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,
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
Preview of Water Quality Science & Agriculture Hub | TropWATER, accessed July 27, 2025,
Water Quality Science & Agriculture Hub | TropWATER, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Water Quality Science & Agriculture Hub | TropWATER, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 1 Jun 2026
  • Effective To 1 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse beyond this maximum of 5 NTU. This benchmark is derived from a comprehensive CSIRO study on Norfolk Island as a proxy for sustainable agricultural land use. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-AGR-WTU family.

15 NTU Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v2