Water Nitrate

AUS-TSW-URB-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.05 mg/L

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: Point

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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

A value from the lower end of the observed performance range of the Oaklands Park system is selected to set a high standard that is nevertheless demonstrably achievable. A median outlet concentration of 0.02 mg/L as NO3−N was observed, but values as low as 0.01 mg/L were common. Converting 0.01 mg/L as N gives 0.044 mg/L as NO3. To provide a round, practical, yet aspirational target, a benchmark of 0.05 mg/L as NO3 is proposed.

Metric Definition:

Concentration of nitrate (NO3) in water as an indicator of water quality in urban streams within the Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands biome.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents an aspirational target for nitrate concentration in urban stormwater discharge, reflecting the best achievable water quality under best-practice management in the Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands biome.

Justification:

Grounded in measured data from a real-world, best-practice system in the target region, ensuring ecological protection by maintaining nitrate levels substantially below natural background and toxicity thresholds.

Sources (1)

Preview of Performance analysis of a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) stormwater harvesting and reuse system: A case study of the Oaklands Park wetland

Performance analysis of a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) stormwater harvesting and reuse system: A case study of the Oaklands Park wetland Journal

Performance analysis of a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) stormwater harvesting and reuse system: A case study of the Oaklands Park wetland

Supporting Sources (50)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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(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

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(PDF) Mineral Nutrition of Plants in Australia's Arid Zone - ResearchGate, accessed July 13, 2025

Contextual Support

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Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Government

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Contextual Support Government

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Contextual Support

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support

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Contextual Support Journal

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Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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Contextual Support Government

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Preview of Green Adelaide, Hills & Fleurieu Regional Summary 2023 Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Report | EPA

Green Adelaide, Hills & Fleurieu Regional Summary 2023 Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Report | EPA

Contextual Support Government

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Contextual Support Government

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Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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May 31, 2019 Chad Loflen Senior Environmental Scientist Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego 2375 Northside Drive, Su, accessed July 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

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Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

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Methodology Source GreyLiterature

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Nitrate guidelines values in ANZECC 2000 - Ministry for the Environment, accessed August 12, 2025

Contextual Support Government

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Nitrate in freshwater and marine water - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support

Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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Contextual Support Government

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The benchmark is based on observed performance of a best-practice Water Sensitive Urban Design system in the target region. No explicit lower or upper thresholds are defined for ecological harm in this context. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-URB-WNI family.