Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AMR-URB-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2200 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.

Evidence & Context

The upper detrimental threshold is defined as > 2,200 µS/cm (based on the ANZECC lowland river guideline, above which significant loss of biodiversity and ecological function is expected).

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of water electrical conductivity (EC) above which significant ecological degradation occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the water electrical conductivity level above which significant ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity occur in urbanized arid mountain ranges.

Justification:

Based on the ANZECC 2000 guideline for lowland rivers, representing a nationally recognized threshold for ecological degradation.

Sources (1)

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

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (7)

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

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,

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

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

Direct Evidence Government

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

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

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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

Consistent exceedance of this value indicates ecological degradation and failure of land and water management. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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