Water Turbidity

AUS-TDG-LVG-WTU General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

10 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.

Evidence & Context

The derived benchmark, reflecting high environmental health, is proposed as ²6le5 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) for upland streams and ²6le NTU for lowland streams, representative of median or typical baseflow to moderate flow conditions.

Metric Definition:

Water turbidity representing high environmental health in lowland streams during median or typical baseflow to moderate flow conditions.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the maximum water turbidity level of 10 NTU for lowland streams in the Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands biome under sustainable livestock grazing, indicating high environmental health.

Justification:

Derived from interpretation of established national and state guidelines focusing on lower ranges associated with well-vegetated catchments and minimal disturbance.

Sources (1)

Preview of Water quality of surface water environments - NSW Government Water, accessed August 1, 2025,

Water quality of surface water environments - NSW Government Water, accessed August 1, 2025, Government

National Guidelines for Water Quality | Department of Natural ...

Supporting Sources (25)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Ambient Water Quality Monitoring of South Australia's Rivers and Streams - EPA SA, accessed July 13, 2025,

Ambient Water Quality Monitoring of South Australia's Rivers and Streams - EPA SA, accessed July 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Ambient Water Quality Monitoring of South Australia's Rivers and Streams - EPA SA, accessed July 13, 2025,

Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ..., accessed May 13, 2025,

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ..., accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ..., accessed May 13, 2025,

Preview of case study 7: south east queensland healthy waterways partnership - DCCEEW, accessed May 13, 2025,

case study 7: south east queensland healthy waterways partnership - DCCEEW, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

case study 7: south east queensland healthy waterways partnership - DCCEEW

Preview of communities.unep.org, accessed May 15, 2025,

communities.unep.org, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support

The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species

Preview of DEVELOPING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR SUSPENDED AND BEDDED SEDIMENTS (SABS) | US EPA ARCHIVE DOCUMENT, accessed May 13, 2025,

DEVELOPING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR SUSPENDED AND BEDDED SEDIMENTS (SABS) | US EPA ARCHIVE DOCUMENT, accessed May 13, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

DEVELOPING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR SUSPENDED AND BEDDED SEDIMENTS (SABS) | US EPA ARCHIVE DOCUMENT, accessed May 13, 2025,

Preview of Ecosystems | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 5, 2025,

Ecosystems | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

2025 Guide: Australian Forestry & Sustainable Farming Standards, accessed July 30, 2025

Preview of Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025

Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Livestock Grazing on Wetlands: Literature Review - Waikato Regional Council

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 Government

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

Preview of Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment, accessed May 13, 2025,

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Regulatory Framework

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment, accessed May 13, 2025,

Preview of Feral horses (Equus caballus) increase suspended sediment in subalpine streams - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 13, 2025,

Feral horses (Equus caballus) increase suspended sediment in subalpine streams - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Feral horses (Equus caballus) increase suspended sediment in subalpine streams - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 13, 2025,

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

Preview of Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,

Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support

Soil PhD Research | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed July 28, 2025

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture and Livestock Integration on Australian Cattle Farms, accessed May 13, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture and Livestock Integration on Australian Cattle Farms, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support

Regenerative Agriculture and Livestock Integration on Australian Cattle Farms, accessed May 13, 2025,

Preview of Riparian restoration 6 ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed May 13, 2025,

Riparian restoration 6 ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Riparian restoration 6 ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed May 13, 2025,

Preview of Riparian restoration – ANU Sustainable Farms

Riparian restoration – ANU Sustainable Farms

Contextual Support Journal

Section 8 – Responsible Grazing – Stock And Waterways

Preview of Section 8 6 Responsible Grazing 6 Stock And Waterways, accessed May 13, 2025,

Section 8 6 Responsible Grazing 6 Stock And Waterways, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Ambient Water Quality Monitoring of South Australia's Rivers and Streams

Preview of Sedimentation sifted out of pollution priorities - Griffith News, accessed May 13, 2025,

Sedimentation sifted out of pollution priorities - Griffith News, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Sedimentation sifted out of pollution priorities - Griffith News

Preview of Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Plant nutrients in the soil - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Preview of The Regional Distribution and Significance of Stream Turbidity in Victoria - CORE, accessed May 13, 2025,

The Regional Distribution and Significance of Stream Turbidity in Victoria - CORE, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support

The Regional Distribution and Significance of Stream Turbidity in Victoria - CORE

Preview of Water quality for farm water supplies | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 1, 2025,

Water quality for farm water supplies | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Regenerative Agriculture and Livestock Integration on Australian Cattle Farms

Preview of Water Quality Objectives - Border Rivers - NSW Government, accessed August 12, 2025

Water Quality Objectives - Border Rivers - NSW Government, accessed August 12, 2025

Contextual Support Government

(PDF) Impact of mitigated forestry activities on turbidity: assessing ...

Preview of Water Quality Objectives - Murray River catchment (NSW), accessed May 13, 2025,

Water Quality Objectives - Murray River catchment (NSW), accessed May 13, 2025,

Direct Evidence Regulatory Framework Government

Establishment of reference conditions and trigger values for chemical, physical and micro-biological indicators in New Zealand streams and rivers - Ministry for the Environment, accessed August 10, 2025

Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 13, 2025,

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 13, 2025,

Preview of www.rcsaustralia.com.au, accessed May 13, 2025,

www.rcsaustralia.com.au, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support

www.rcsaustralia.com.au, accessed May 13, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 1 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents median or typical baseflow to moderate flow conditions; positioned at the very low end of ANZECC/NSW ranges for slightly disturbed systems; lower turbidity indicates better ecological health. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are not desirable. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-WTU family.