Water Turbidity

AUS-ASC-CON-WTU General High confidence

Benchmark Value

2 NTU
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, 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.

Evidence & Context

Based on an analysis of current, site-specific data from well-managed conservation areas within the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex, the reference value for water turbidity representing the best available natural condition is: < 2 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units), and often < 1 NTU.

Metric Definition:

Water turbidity measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), indicating the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by suspended particulate matter.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum turbidity level of 2 NTU in water within well-managed conservation areas of the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex, indicating the best available natural water clarity under minimal disturbance.

Justification:

The benchmark is derived from multiple monitoring sites within Kosciuszko National Park, demonstrating high environmental health with consistently low turbidity levels.

Sources (2)

Preview of NSW alpine resorts environmental performance report 2020–21
NSW alpine resorts environmental performance report 2020–21 Journal

NSW Alpine Resorts Environmental Performance Report 2020–21

View Source
Preview of Turbidity | River Detectives, accessed July 16, 2025,
Turbidity | River Detectives, accessed July 16, 2025, Journal

Kosciuszko National Park's health a mixed diagnosis in first EcoHealth Scorecard

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Kosciuszko National Park EcoHealth Scorecard 2022–23
Kosciuszko National Park EcoHealth Scorecard 2022–23
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Assessment of the Values of Kosciuszko National Park (Chapter 8)

View Source
Preview of Kosciuszko National Park's health a mixed diagnosis in first EcoHealth Scorecard
Kosciuszko National Park's health a mixed diagnosis in first EcoHealth Scorecard
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Kosciuszko National Park's health a mixed diagnosis in first EcoHealth Scorecard

View Source
Preview of National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,
National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,
Regulatory Framework

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW

View Source
Preview of Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report - Water and ..., accessed August 12, 2025,
Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report - Water and ..., accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 3 Jun 2026
  • Effective To 3 Jun 2026

Notes

The reference value is < 2 NTU, often < 1 NTU, reflecting minimal anthropogenic disturbance and healthy ecosystem function. The ANZECC 2000/ANZG 2018 guidelines suggest an upper trigger range of 2–25 NTU for upland rivers, with values exceeding this indicating increased ecological risk. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.