Water Turbidity

AUS-AMR-AQU-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

3.9 NTU

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 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 selected reference value is 3.9 NTU, the mean turbidity of the treated liquid effluent.

Metric Definition:

Water turbidity measured as the mean turbidity of treated liquid effluent from a best-practice Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS).

Benchmark Definition:

Mean turbidity of treated liquid effluent from a best-practice Recirculating Aquaculture System representing the highest level of environmental performance in arid mountain aquaculture.

Justification:

This value reflects the highest level of water quality actively achieved by a management system designed to conserve water, contain waste, and minimize environmental impact.

Sources (1)

Best Pratice Environmental Management Guidelines for ... - VFA, accessed July 20, 2025, Government

Best Pratice Environmental Management Guidelines for ... - VFA

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Effects of turbidity, temperature and predation cue on the stress response of juvenile delta smelt | Conservation Physiology | Oxford Academic

Effects of turbidity, temperature and predation cue on the stress response of juvenile delta smelt | Conservation Physiology | Oxford Academic

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of turbidity, temperature and predation cue on the stress response of juvenile delta smelt | Conservation Physiology | Oxford Academic

View Source

Water quality for primary industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Low turbidity in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) reduces feeding behavior and increases stress-related physiological parameters in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) during grow-out

View Source

Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Aquaculture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 4 Jun 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents the mean turbidity of treated liquid effluent from a best-practice, intensive Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). It is selected as the "best available condition" because RAS technology is the most sustainable form of aquaculture in water-scarce arid zones, and this value reflects the highest level of environmental performance achieved by the system's water treatment process. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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