Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMI-AGR-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

650 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 650

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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Water with an EC of < 650 µS/cm (0.65 dS/m) is classified as having a 'Very low' salinity rating, considered safe for even sensitive crops with no expected negative impact on yield or soil structure.

Metric Definition:

Irrigation water salinity rating based on Electrical Conductivity (EC).

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the upper limit of electrical conductivity for irrigation water considered safe for sensitive crops in the Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome.

Justification:

Represents the upper limit for uncompromised agricultural sustainability where no negative impact on crops is expected.

Sources (1)

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's Northern Tropical Rivers - Report 5 - Water quality - DCCEEW, accessed August 1, 2025,

A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's Northern Tropical Rivers - Report 5 - Water quality - DCCEEW, accessed August 1, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis and change points (dots) for the ...

View Source

Preview of Proserpine River, Whitsunday Island and O'Connell River Basins Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 2, 2025,

Proserpine River, Whitsunday Island and O'Connell River Basins Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 2, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Journal

Bioregional Assessment of the Clarence-Moreton bioregion, which includes the Richmond River basin

View Source

VOLUME 1 WATER RESOURCES OF THE TIWI ... - Tiwi Land Council

Contextual Support Government

VOLUME 1 WATER RESOURCES OF THE TIWI ... - Tiwi Land Council

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

Above this level, special management for salinity may be required.

Related Benchmarks

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