Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
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 5 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 4 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
Based on the synthesis of the aforementioned lines of evidence, a proposed reference range for water nitrate, reflecting the best available condition and high environmental health in streams draining regenerative agricultural crop production areas within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands, is 0.1 mg/L to 0.2 mg/L NO3 .
Water nitrate concentration in streams draining regenerative agricultural crop production areas within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands.
This benchmark defines the reference range for water nitrate concentration representing the best available condition and high environmental health in streams within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands under agricultural crop production.
This range is informed by and consistent with ANZECC (2000) regional DTVs for NOx in slightly disturbed temperate lowland rivers, observed DIN concentrations in pristine tropical Australian woodland streams, typical nitrate concentrations in Australian reticulated drinking water supplies, and the goals of regenerative agriculture.
Supporting Sources (3)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Hickey, C. (2002). Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000. Memorandum MFE02237 prepared for Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). NIWA Client Report: HAM2002-126.
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Palaeovalley Groundwater Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Australia - Geoscience Australia, accessed July 31, 2025,
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webcat.niwa.co.nz, accessed May 11, 2025,
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