Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-AGR-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 50 to 100 µS/cm

Optimal Range: 50 to 100

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: OptimalRange

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 UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The proposed benchmark is a range of <100 µS/cm, with an aspirational target of ≤98 µS/cm where achievable.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) representing the best available condition of nature achievable within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands actively managed for agricultural crop production.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the range of water electrical conductivity values indicating excellent or high-quality reference conditions in temperate Australian upland and woodland streams under agricultural crop production.

Justification:

Derived from multiple credible sources including Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch CHIP Report and Victorian Index of Stream Condition, supported by ANZECC/ARMCANZ guidelines, representing minimally disturbed aquatic ecosystems.

Sources (3)

Preview of 1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025,

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025, Government

Percentage compliance with ANZECC water quality trigger values for aquatic ecosystems, primary contact recreation and secondary

View Source

Preview of Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2021 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025,

Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2021 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025, Journal

ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) Guidelines

View Source

www.water.vic.gov.au Journal

www.water.vic.gov.au

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Managing farm water supplies - Agriculture Victoria

Contextual Support Government

Managing farm water supplies - Agriculture Victoria

View Source

National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW

View Source

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

Contextual Support Government

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

Benchmark represents 'Excellent' or 'High Quality Reference' conditions in temperate SE Australian upland/woodland streams, derived from reference site data. Regenerative agriculture should aim for this low EC, reflecting minimal salt mobilisation and high ecological health. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-AGR-WEC family.