Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMI-AGR-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

650 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 OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Water with an EC of < 650 µS/cm 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:

Electrical Conductivity threshold for irrigation water salinity classified as 'Very low' hazard.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the agronomic threshold for irrigation water salinity indicating the onset of management needs in agricultural crop production within the biome.

Justification:

Derived from Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.

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 ...

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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 ...

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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

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

Contextual Support Government

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

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents the upper limit for uncompromised agricultural sustainability.

Related Benchmarks

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