Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMI-URB-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

96 µS/cm

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

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

Benchmark for Sand-Mass Islands (e.g., North Stradbroke/Minjerribah, Moreton): 96 µS/cm This value is the 50th percentile WQO for HEV/SD Wallum Fresh Waters on North Stradbroke Island.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a fundamental measure of water quality, quantifying the ability of water to conduct an electrical current.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the median electrical conductivity (EC) value for healthy freshwater systems on Sand-Mass Islands in the Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome under urban and developed land use. It reflects the central tendency of water quality in these high ecological value reference sites.

Justification:

The benchmark values are taken directly from legally recognized Water Quality Objective documents published by the Queensland Government under the EPP (Water and Wetland Biodiversity). The methodology aligns with national ANZG water quality guidelines and is based on long-term monitoring of actual freshwater systems designated as High Ecological Value.

Sources (1)

Preview of Moreton Bay, North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke, Moreton and Moreton Bay Islands Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives (June 2022)

Moreton Bay, North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke, Moreton and Moreton Bay Islands Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives (June 2022) Journal

Proserpine River, Whitsunday Island, O’Connell River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives (June 2022)

View Source

Supporting Sources (7)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Northern Territory Government (2020) Darwin Harbour Region Water Quality Objectives, Report Card Section 3.0.

View Source

Preview of Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed May 15, 2025,

Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

View Source

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 - Queensland Legislation

Regulatory Framework Government

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 - Queensland Legislation

View Source

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

Methodology Source

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW

View Source

Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed August 4, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO

View Source

Urbanization Effects on Watershed Hydrology and In-Stream Processes in the Southern United States - MDPI

Contextual Support Journal

Urbanization Effects on Watershed Hydrology and In-Stream Processes in the Southern United States - MDPI

View Source

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

Contextual Support Government

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

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 92 µS/cm. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 100 µS/cm. The benchmark is based on legislated Water Quality Objectives for High Ecological Value reference sites, indicating that exceeding the upper threshold suggests degraded conditions due to urban runoff. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-URB-WEC family.