Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AMR-URB-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1000 µS/cm

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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the proposed reference benchmark for the best available condition is < 1,000 µS/cm, expressed as a median value during periods of sustained flow.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in surface water during periods of sustained flow in urbanized arid mountain ranges.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available condition for water electrical conductivity in urbanized arid mountain ranges, indicating a state of high ecological health achievable through best-practice urban water management.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived from a synthesis of the natural hydro-saline baseline of the biome, best-practice urban water management, and ecological health requirements, acknowledging the naturally high background salinity and aiming to prevent degradation.

Sources (3)

ANZECC 2000 guidelines for upland rivers, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Assessing the Impact of Recycled Water Quality and Clogging on Infiltration Rates at A Pioneering Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) Site in Alice Springs, Northern Territory (NT), Australia - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025,

Assessing the Impact of Recycled Water Quality and Clogging on Infiltration Rates at A Pioneering Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) Site in Alice Springs, Northern Territory (NT), Australia - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025, Journal

Alice Springs water assessment report - Territory Stories, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025, Government

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source

Supporting Sources (6)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Alice Springs water assessment report - Territory Stories, accessed July 21, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Synthesis of ANZECC (2000) Guidelines and regional data from the Alice Springs Water Assessment Report (NT DPL, 2025)

View Source

Urban salinity – causes and impacts - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Contextual Support Journal

Urban salinity – causes and impacts - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW, accessed August 11, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Journal

Reference-site data - Water Quality Australia

View Source

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

Regulatory Framework Government

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

View Source

Preview of Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

Contextual Support Journal

Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Preview of Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and Inspiration for Sustainable Stormwater Management in the City of the Future - Manual - HafenCity Universität

Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and Inspiration for Sustainable Stormwater Management in the City of the Future - Manual - HafenCity Universität

Contextual Support Journal

Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and Inspiration for Sustainable Stormwater Management in the City of the Future - Manual - HafenCity Universität, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

This value is a derived benchmark representing a median during sustained flow periods, not a pristine condition, and is protective of a resilient aquatic ecosystem in an urban arid mountain range context. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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