Water Turbidity

AUS-TDG-AGR-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

10 NTU
Range: — to 15 NTU
Optimal Range: — to 15
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

Based on the synthesis of the evidence, particularly prioritizing the CSIRO condition-based indicators for analogous catchment types and considering the ANZG framework, the following benchmark for water turbidity in streams and water bodies within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands and Native Grasslands under sustainable/regenerative agricultural crop production is proposed: Median turbidity: ≤ 10 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) 80th percentile turbidity: ≤ 15 NTU

Metric Definition:

Water turbidity measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) representing the clarity of water influenced by suspended particulate matter.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the target water turbidity level indicating good environmental health in streams and water bodies within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands and Native Grasslands under sustainable agricultural crop production.

Justification:

The benchmark is scientifically justified by alignment with 'Good' ecological condition categories from CSIRO data, minimization of ecological impacts, achievability with best practices, balance between protection and land use, and consistency with national frameworks.

Supporting Sources (32)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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-i- Trends in Estuarine Water Quality and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Invasion By ERIN LEE HESTIR B.A. (University of Californ, accessed May 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

7 Hestir, E.L. (2010). Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, Turbidity, and Hydrodynamics in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. University of California, Davis. (From: waterboards.ca.gov)

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(PDF) Environmental Impacts of Sugarcane Farming, Kenya: Effects of Nitrogenous Fertilizer use on Soil and Water Chemistry within the Sugarcane Farms - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

15 Omwoma, S. (2012). Environmental Impacts of Sugarcane Farming, Kenya: Effects of Nitrogenous Fertilizer use on Soil and Water Chemistry within the Sugarcane Farms. Lap Lambert Academic Publishing. (From: researchgate.net)

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Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Eutrophication in Australian Rivers, Reservoirs and Estuaries – A Southern Hemisphere Perspective on the Science and its Implications - ResearchGate, accessed July 13, 2025,

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(PDF) The Impact of Extreme Low Flows on the Water Quality of the Lower Murray River and Lakes (South Australia) - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Government

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23 EPA Victoria. Analysis of "Water" information page. (From: epa.vic.gov.au)
Contextual Support

23 EPA Victoria. Analysis of "Water" information page. (From: epa.vic.gov.au)

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27 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (Date N/A). Soil and water conservation for sustainable mountain agriculture. (From: openknowledge.fao.org)
Contextual Support

27 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (Date N/A). Soil and water conservation for sustainable mountain agriculture. (From: openknowledge.fao.org)

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5 Submission to the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee regarding the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. (From: documents.parliament.qld.gov.au)
Contextual Support

5 Submission to the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee regarding the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. (From: documents.parliament.qld.gov.au)

Preview of 8 (Relevant content on rainfall bands for Box-Ironbark communities). The Victorian Naturalist. (From: archive.org)
8 (Relevant content on rainfall bands for Box-Ironbark communities). The Victorian Naturalist. (From: archive.org)
Contextual Support

8 (Relevant content on rainfall bands for Box-Ironbark communities). The Victorian Naturalist. (From: archive.org)

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9 Chiew, F.H.S., et al. (Relevant content on streamflow variability in northern Australia). (From: science.gov)
Contextual Support

9 Chiew, F.H.S., et al. (Relevant content on streamflow variability in northern Australia). (From: science.gov)

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Contextual Support Journal

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Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

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Border Rivers and Moonie River Basins Healthy Waters Management Plan - MurrayDarling Basin Authority, accessed May 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

21 Queensland Government. (2019). Healthy Waters Management Plan: Queensland Border Rivers 13 Moonie River Basin. (From: mdba.gov.au)

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Characterising the ecological effects of changes in the 'low-flow hydrology' of the Barwon-Darling River, accessed May 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

13 Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. (Date N/A). Characterising the ecological effects of changes in low flow in the Barwon-Darling. (From: agriculture.gov.au)

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Contextual Support Journal

2 Smith, T., et al. (2019). Complementary land use in the Richmond River catchment: Evaluating economic and environmental benefits. Land Use Policy, 88, 104187. (From: researchgate.net)

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Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

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Contextual Support GreyLiterature

3 Omwoma, S., et al. (2011). Effects of Nitrogenous Fertilizers on Soil and Water Physicochemical Parameters in Sugarcane Farms, Kenya. 15

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Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 13 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 13 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark applies primarily during baseflow or low-flow conditions and acknowledges natural variability and episodic high turbidity during rainfall events. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse beyond natural saturation. It is a pragmatic target for managed agricultural landscapes.