Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-LVG-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

800 µS/cm

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 3 benchmarks together — the MinimumOnly form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

MinimumOnly Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The final benchmark of <800 µS/cm reflects a state that protects sensitive aquatic biodiversity and aligns with the operational targets for maintaining healthy, productive river systems in south-eastern Australia.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in surface waters

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the maximum water electrical conductivity level that protects sensitive aquatic biodiversity and supports healthy river systems in the Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains biome under livestock grazing and pasture land use.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived by triangulating evidence from large-scale catchment management and empirical ecology, aligning with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's operational target for 'low salinity' water, based on decades of management to protect ecological and agricultural values.

Sources (3)

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025, GreyLiterature

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Preview of Impact of secondary salinisation on freshwater ecosystems: effects of contrasting, experimental, short-term releases of saline wastewater on macroinvertebrates in a lowland stream - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025,

Impact of secondary salinisation on freshwater ecosystems: effects of contrasting, experimental, short-term releases of saline wastewater on macroinvertebrates in a lowland stream - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025, Government

Comparison of two commonly used methods for identifying water quality thresholds in freshwater ecosystems using field and synthetic data - PubMed

View Source

Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025,

Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025, Journal

Seasonal changes in water quality and macrophytes and the ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Management of major ions in freshwater ecosystems: thresholds of impact and indicators of change - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 17, 2025,

Management of major ions in freshwater ecosystems: thresholds of impact and indicators of change - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 17, 2025,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Comparison of two commonly used methods for identifying water ..., accessed August 8, 2025,

View Source

Preview of The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

Regulatory Framework GreyLiterature

The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 2
Effective From 10 Jun 2026
Effective To 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 125 µS/cm. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Maintaining EC below 800 µS/cm is protective of sensitive aquatic biodiversity. The optimal range for this ecosystem is considered to be 125–800 µS/cm.

Related Benchmarks

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