Water Turbidity

AUS-AKW-AQU-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

5 NTU

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. The scoring engine uses 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The analysis concludes that a turbidity level of < 5 NTU represents the best available condition for the source water and the operational state of a best-practice aquaculture system in this context.

Metric Definition:

Water turbidity level representing the best available condition for source water and operational state in sustainable aquaculture.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark indicates the maximum turbidity level representing the best available condition for groundwater-fed aquaculture systems in the Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands biome, reflecting a sustainably certified recirculating aquaculture system using pristine aquifer water.

Justification:

Derived through inference from a best-practice analogue system using pristine groundwater and corroborated with national water quality guidelines.

Sources (1)

Derived Benchmark based on Functional Analogue (MainStream Aquaculture) and National Guidelines (ANZECC/ANZG) Government

Derived Benchmark based on Functional Analogue (MainStream Aquaculture) and National Guidelines (ANZECC/ANZG)

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

Direct Evidence

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW

View Source

The Impact of Turbidity on Fish Health in Aquaculture Systems

Contextual Support Journal

The Impact of Turbidity on Fish Health in Aquaculture Systems

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
Land Use Aquaculture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 4 Jun 2026
Effective To 4 Jun 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents the best available condition for the influent source water and the baseline operational state of a sustainable, groundwater-fed Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) in an Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands biome. It is derived by inference due to lack of direct measurements. The benchmark is anchored to a sustainably certified RAS using pristine ancient aquifer water and corroborated with ANZECC/ANZG guidelines. The functional range includes a lower critical threshold around < 5 NTU due to physiological stress from hyper-clear water, and an upper detrimental threshold > 15 NTU as an operational trigger for system malfunction. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AKW-AQU-WTU family.