Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, 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
The proposed benchmark is < 1.0 mg/L as NO3−-N.
The concentration of nitrate in runoff and drainage water serves as a key indicator of the efficiency of a grazing system's nutrient cycle.
A value that reflects a truly high-functioning ecosystem with minimal nutrient leakage.
Consistent with the upper range of typical concentrations in unpolluted Australian streams and below the most stringent ANZG 2025 DGV for 95% species protection.
Sources (2)
Establishing riverine nutrient criteria using individual taxa thresholds - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed July 25, 2025
View SourceAustralian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018)
View SourceSupporting Sources (40)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. 4. Soil water dynamics and runoff events for differently-managed pasture types - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
View Source1E Grazing Management - Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Control Program Encyclopedia | California State Water Resources Control Board, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceDetermining safe levels of ammonia and nitrite for shrimp culture - Global Seafood Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025
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BorderRangesRainforest - DCCEEW, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceB.PUE.0105 Final Report - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceLudwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.
View SourceEstimated Nitrate Concentrations in Groundwater Used for Drinking | US EPA, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceGrazing Livestock and Water Quality - NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceEffects of Livestock Grazing on Wetlands: Literature Review - Waikato Regional Council
View SourceReview of water quality studies in the Australian Alps
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Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceManaging Gully Erosion - NQ Dry Tropics
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Livestock drinking water guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 8, 2025
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Hickey, C. (2002). Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000. Memorandum MFE02237 prepared for Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). NIWA Client Report: HAM2002-126.
View SourceNitrate contamination in drinking water frequently asked questions - Greenpeace Aotearoa, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceNitrate in drinking water - WA Health, accessed July 26, 2025,
View SourceNitrate in freshwater, toxicant default guideline values for protecting aquatic ecosystems, technical brief
View SourceNitrate leaching from temperate perennial pastures grazed by dairy cows in south-eastern Australia - ResearchGate
View SourceNitrate toxicity guidelines for the National Objectives Framework - NIWA
View SourceNitrates - European Commission - Environment, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceNitrate leaching from temperate perennial pastures grazed by dairy cows in south-eastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceNitrogen attenuation by stream riparian zones: Prospects for Australian landscapes, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceNorth-east Victoria SGS National Experiment site: water and nutrient losses from grazing systems on contrasting soil types and levels of inputs - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceGrazing water quality risk framework 2017-2022, accessed July 10, 2025,
View SourceRegenerative agriculture - Wikipedia
View SourceRegenerative agriculture is key to dry season preparation - Soils For Life, accessed July 23, 2025
View SourceRiver water quality: nitrogen | Stats NZ, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceSeasonal Variation and Driving Factors of Nitrate in Rivers of Miyun Reservoir Watershed, North China - MDPI, accessed August 8, 2025
View Source1E Grazing Management - Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Control Program Encyclopedia | California State Water Resources Control Board, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceSustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. 4. Soil water dynamics and runoff events for differently-managed pasture types - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourcePlant responses to livestock grazing frequency in an Australian temperate grassland, accessed August 6, 2025
View SourceLandscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,
View Source
The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed July 24, 2025,
View SourceThe North Wyke Farm Platform: effect of temperate grassland farming systems on soil moisture contents, runoff and associated water quality dynamics - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceTotal Nitrogen - DCCEEW
View SourceTowards sustainable grassland and livestock management | The Journal of Agricultural Science | Cambridge Core, accessed August 8, 2025
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Nitrate in freshwater, toxicant default guideline values for protecting aquatic ecosystems
View Source