Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-LVG-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

800 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 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 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

Based on this synthesis, the proposed benchmark for surface water Electrical Conductivity in a temperate semi-arid shrubland or open woodland demonstrating high environmental health under best-practice livestock grazing is < 800 µS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in surface water of temperate semi-arid shrubland or open woodland under livestock grazing

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the upper limit of surface water Electrical Conductivity indicating high environmental health under best-practice livestock grazing in temperate semi-arid shrublands and open woodlands of Australia.

Justification:

This value is selected based on four key lines of justification: regional relevance via MDBA's 'low salinity' threshold, alignment with national water quality classifications, application of the precautionary principle, and achievability in managed landscapes.

Sources (2)

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

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

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

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Preview of Water quality of surface water environments - NSW Government Water, accessed August 1, 2025,

Water quality of surface water environments - NSW Government Water, accessed August 1, 2025, Government

National Guidelines for Water Quality | Department of Natural ...

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Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Volume 3 - Chapter 9 - Primary Industries

Contextual Support Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Volume 3 - Chapter 9 - Primary Industries

View Source

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Basin Plan water quality targets; Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018/ANZECC 2000); Australia State of the Environment 2021: Inland water

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents the upper limit for surface water considered to be of high ecological quality ('low salinity' or 'fresh') in the context of Australia's temperate semi-arid regions. There is no lower detrimental threshold; lower EC values indicate higher purity and better condition. The upper detrimental threshold for aquatic ecosystem health is > 1000 µS/cm.

Related Benchmarks

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