Water Turbidity

AUS-TSW-AQU-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5 to 20 NTU

Optimal Range: 5 to 20

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: OptimalRange

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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

An optimal range of 5–20 NTU is proposed.

Metric Definition:

Water Turbidity measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal range balancing natural productivity with high water quality.

Justification:

This range sits within the ANZECC guidelines for healthy lakes and upland rivers, avoids the potentially sterile conditions of <2 NTU, and provides a significant buffer before reaching the upper detrimental threshold.

Sources (1)

National Guidelines for Water Quality | Department of Natural ..., accessed July 12, 2025, Journal

National Guidelines for Water Quality | Department of Natural ..., accessed July 12, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Aquaculture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 1 Jun 2026

Notes

This 'Goldilocks' range reflects a sophisticated understanding of ecosystem function that contrasts with simple pollutants where the target is always zero. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-AQU-WTU family.