Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-LVG-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1000 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1000

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MinimumOnly

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

Their guidance indicates that EC levels greater than 1000 µS/cm can begin to cause damage to aquatic ecosystems and create problems for certain types of irrigated crops.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) level at which ecological damage begins in aquatic ecosystems

Benchmark Definition:

This threshold represents the Electrical Conductivity level above which ecological damage to aquatic ecosystems begins in temperate semi-arid shrublands and open woodlands under livestock grazing in Australia.

Justification:

This threshold is cited by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Environment as the point where EC causes ecological harm.

Sources (1)

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 ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

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

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

Direct Evidence Government

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

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This threshold is far below livestock tolerance levels, highlighting the importance of managing for ecological health.

Related Benchmarks

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