Water Nitrate

AUS-AIF-URB-WNI General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

1.1 mg/L
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The value of 1.1 mg/L represents the calculated post-treatment TN concentration from a typical Australian urban stormwater baseline of 2.0 mg/L TN.

Metric Definition:

Water nitrate concentration in urban stormwater discharge after treatment by best-practice WSUD systems.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents a proxy value for water nitrate concentration in urban stormwater after treatment by Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) systems in arid inland ephemeral river systems of Australia. It is based on a 45% reduction target for Total Nitrogen, reflecting best-practice urban water management.

Justification:

Derived from the 45% reduction target for Total Nitrogen in WSUD guidelines applied to a typical urban stormwater baseline of 2.0 mg/L TN, acknowledging the lack of direct field data and the assumption that TN reduction correlates with nitrate reduction.

Sources (3)

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AUSTRALIA'S WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN - ResearchGate, accessed July 13, 2025,

AUSTRALIA'S WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN - ResearchGate

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Ecological condition of central Australian arid-zone rivers - PubMed, accessed July 21, 2025 Journal

Ecological condition of central Australian arid-zone rivers - PubMed

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Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ..., accessed August 8, 2025 Journal

Nitrate in freshwater, toxicant default guideline values for protecting aquatic ecosystems

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Supporting Sources (33)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Ecological responses to artificial drought in two Australian rivers with differing water extraction - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025
(PDF) Ecological responses to artificial drought in two Australian rivers with differing water extraction - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support

An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Eutrophication in Australian Rivers, Reservoirs and Estuaries  A Southern Hemisphere Perspective on the Science and its Implications - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,
(PDF) Eutrophication in Australian Rivers, Reservoirs and Estuaries  A Southern Hemisphere Perspective on the Science and its Implications - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Case studies - Water Sensitive SA

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Preview of (PDF) Water Sensitive Urban Design - Case Studies (Australia/Dubai) - ResearchGate, accessed July 13, 2025,
(PDF) Water Sensitive Urban Design - Case Studies (Australia/Dubai) - ResearchGate, accessed July 13, 2025,
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

WATER- SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN AND PLANNING - Centre for Science and Environment

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Preview of Alice Springs Groundwater - Dataset - NTG Open Data Portal, accessed July 21, 2025
Alice Springs Groundwater - Dataset - NTG Open Data Portal, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Alice Springs Groundwater - Dataset - NTG Open Data Portal

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Preview of Alice Springs SAT Project Hydrological and Water ... - SSWM.info, accessed July 21, 2025
Alice Springs SAT Project Hydrological and Water ... - SSWM.info, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Mildura Rural City Council Stormwater Drainage Asset Management Plan 2023-2027

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Preview of An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025
An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025
Contextual Support Government

An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed July 27, 2025,
An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support

Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters — a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics

View Source
Preview of Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2023, accessed July 21, 2025
Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2023, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2023, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Aquatic Life Water Quality Standards Technical Support Document for Nitrate - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, accessed July 21, 2025
Aquatic Life Water Quality Standards Technical Support Document for Nitrate - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Aquatic Life Water Quality Standards Technical Support Document for Nitrate - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, accessed July 21, 2025

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Preview of Case study – Oaklands stormwater harvest & re-use project - Water Sensitive SA, accessed July 21, 2025
Case study – Oaklands stormwater harvest & re-use project - Water Sensitive SA, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Hydrogeological Field Investigations - Oaklands Park Stormwater Reuse Project Prepared for City of Marion - Essential Services Commission of South Australia

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Preview of Challenges and adaptation needs for water quality in the Murray-Darling Basin in response to climate change - Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), accessed July 21, 2025
Challenges and adaptation needs for water quality in the Murray-Darling Basin in response to climate change - Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Challenges and adaptation needs for water quality in the Murray-Darling Basin in response to climate change - Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)

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Preview of Chapter 5: Water quality - CSIRO, accessed July 21, 2025
Chapter 5: Water quality - CSIRO, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) - Government of Western Australia

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Preview of Climate Change Impacts on Water Sensitive Urban Design Technologies - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025
Climate Change Impacts on Water Sensitive Urban Design Technologies - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Climate Change Impacts on Water Sensitive Urban Design Technologies - MDPI

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Preview of Ecology of Australia: the effects of nutrient-poor soils and intense fires - PubMed, accessed August 11, 2025,
Ecology of Australia: the effects of nutrient-poor soils and intense fires - PubMed, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

A Study on Distribution of Forms of Phosphorus in Calcareous Soils ..., accessed July 22, 2025

View Source
Preview of Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia
Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia
Methodology Source Government

Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia, accessed July 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of Effectiveness of Water-Sensitive Urban Design Techniques on Stormwater Quantity Management at a Residential Allotment Scale - MDPI, accessed August 2, 2025,
Effectiveness of Water-Sensitive Urban Design Techniques on Stormwater Quantity Management at a Residential Allotment Scale - MDPI, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support

Effectiveness of Water-Sensitive Urban Design Techniques on Stormwater Quantity Management at a Residential Allotment Scale - MDPI, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Methodology Source Government

(PDF) Evaluation of genetic markers for the metabarcoding of ...

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Preview of Eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) - Western Australian Government
Eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) - Western Australian Government
Contextual Support Government

Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000

View Source
Preview of Final Evaluation Report Page 1 Name: Mildura Rural City Council Project Description - Water360, accessed July 21, 2025
Final Evaluation Report Page 1 Name: Mildura Rural City Council Project Description - Water360, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support

Final Evaluation Report Page 1 Name: Mildura Rural City Council Project Description - Water360

View Source
Preview of Hydrogeological Field Investigations - Oaklands Park Stormwater Reuse Project Prepared for City of Marion - Essential Services Commission of South Australia, accessed July 21, 2025
Hydrogeological Field Investigations - Oaklands Park Stormwater Reuse Project Prepared for City of Marion - Essential Services Commission of South Australia, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2023

View Source
Preview of Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000, accessed August 8, 2025
Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Hickey, C. (2002). Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000. Memorandum MFE02237 prepared for Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). NIWA Client Report: HAM2002-126.

View Source
Preview of Mildura Rural City Council Stormwater Drainage Asset Management Plan 2023-2027, accessed July 21, 2025
Mildura Rural City Council Stormwater Drainage Asset Management Plan 2023-2027, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Government

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PLAN - Mildura East Growth Area - EXHIBITION DRAFT - AWS

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Preview of Nitrate and nitrite | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 8, 2025
Nitrate and nitrite | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018)

View Source
Preview of Nitrate in freshwater and marine water - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,
Nitrate in freshwater and marine water - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support

Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000

View Source
Preview of Nitrate toxicity guidelines for the National Objectives Framework - NIWA, accessed August 8, 2025
Nitrate toxicity guidelines for the National Objectives Framework - NIWA, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Nitrate toxicity guidelines for the National Objectives Framework - NIWA

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Nutrient and Organic Matter Dynamics in Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed July 26, 2025,

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Preview of Nutrient limitation and interactions with organic matter and sediments within dryland streams of the Pilbara region of northwest - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository - The University of Western Australia, accessed July 21, 2025
Nutrient limitation and interactions with organic matter and sediments within dryland streams of the Pilbara region of northwest - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository - The University of Western Australia, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support

Exploring the potential of metabarcoding to disentangle macroinvertebrate community dynamics in intermittent streams

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Preview of Present day and future urban cooling enabled by integrated water management - Frontiers, accessed July 21, 2025
Present day and future urban cooling enabled by integrated water management - Frontiers, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Present day and future urban cooling enabled by integrated water management - Frontiers, accessed July 21, 2025

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Preview of STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PLAN - Mildura East Growth Area - EXHIBITION DRAFT - AWS, accessed July 21, 2025
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PLAN - Mildura East Growth Area - EXHIBITION DRAFT - AWS, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PLAN - Mildura East Growth Area - EXHIBITION DRAFT - AWS, accessed July 21, 2025

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Preview of Targets for Urban Stormwater Management in Australia - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025
Targets for Urban Stormwater Management in Australia - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Targets for Urban Stormwater Management in Australia - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025

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Preview of The effects of drying and re‐flooding on nutrient availability in ephemeral deflation basin lakes in western New South Wales, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025
The effects of drying and re‐flooding on nutrient availability in ephemeral deflation basin lakes in western New South Wales, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Nutrient and Organic Matter Dynamics in Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Preview of Urban Stormwater: Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines. - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025
Urban Stormwater: Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines. - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Chapter 5: Water quality - CSIRO

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Preview of Water quality | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 5, 2025
Water quality | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support

(PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Urban & Developed Use
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 2 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 0.01 mg/L. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 1.6 mg/L based on chronic toxicity effects to sensitive aquatic species per draft ANZG (2025) guidelines. No fixed optimal range due to dynamic nature of the biome.