Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-LVG-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

800 µS/cm

Range: 125 to 800 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 800

Optimal Range: 125 to 800

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 2 benchmarks together — the MaximumOnly form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

MaximumOnly Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The final benchmark of <800 µS/cm reflects a state that protects sensitive aquatic biodiversity and aligns with the operational targets for maintaining healthy, productive river systems in south-eastern Australia.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in surface waters of temperate grassy woodlands under sustainable grazing.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum water electrical conductivity level in surface waters of temperate grassy woodlands under sustainable grazing that protects sensitive aquatic biodiversity and supports healthy river systems.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived by triangulating evidence from the Murray-Darling Basin Salinity Management 2030 strategy and supporting ecological threshold research, representing a best-on-offer condition for surface waters in temperate grassy woodlands under sustainable grazing.

Sources (3)

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025, Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Preview of Management of major ions in freshwater ecosystems: thresholds of impact and indicators of change - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 17, 2025,

Management of major ions in freshwater ecosystems: thresholds of impact and indicators of change - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 17, 2025, GreyLiterature

Comparison of two commonly used methods for identifying water ..., accessed August 8, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025,

Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025, Journal

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 8, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Impact of secondary salinisation on freshwater ecosystems: effects of contrasting, experimental, short-term releases of saline wastewater on macroinvertebrates in a lowland stream - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025,

Impact of secondary salinisation on freshwater ecosystems: effects of contrasting, experimental, short-term releases of saline wastewater on macroinvertebrates in a lowland stream - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Comparison of two commonly used methods for identifying water quality thresholds in freshwater ecosystems using field and synthetic data - PubMed

View Source

Preview of The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

Regulatory Framework Journal

The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark aligns with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's operational target for 'low salinity' water, supported by peer-reviewed research identifying ecological thresholds for macroinvertebrate community degradation beginning around 950 µS/cm. The optimal range for ecosystem health is 125–800 µS/cm, with an upper detrimental threshold beginning at approximately 950 µS/cm and significant degradation above 1500 µS/cm. Lower critical thresholds around 30 µS/cm are theoretically stressful but not a practical management concern in this biome.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-LVG-WEC family.