Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-LVG-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 125 to 2200 µS/cm

Optimal Range: 125 to 2200

Direction: Higher 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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The ANZG default trigger value for lowland rivers is 125–2200 µS/cm, but this range is broad and includes degraded systems.

Metric Definition:

Default guideline trigger values for water electrical conductivity in lowland rivers in south-eastern Australia.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the default guideline trigger range for water electrical conductivity in lowland rivers in south-eastern Australia, though it includes degraded systems and is broad for best-practice use.

Justification:

These values are broad and cover many river types, including some that are already moderately degraded.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

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 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,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

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

View Source

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

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type RegulatoryTrigger

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026
Effective To 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This range is used as a regulatory trigger but is not suitable as a best-practice benchmark due to its broadness.

Related Benchmarks

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