Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-CON-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 800 to 2200 μS/cm
Optimal Range: 800 to 2200
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: OptimalRange

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 Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

An optimal system would see these concentrations remain, for the most part, below the upper ANZECC guideline of 2,200 μS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Functional range of electrical conductivity in ephemeral streams

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the natural functional range of electrical conductivity in ephemeral streams, reflecting healthy base-flow and concentration phases in temperate semi-arid shrublands under conservation.

Justification:

Based on regional targets and ecological thresholds, this range reflects the natural hydrological cycle of a healthy system.

Sources (3)

Preview of Coolgardie woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 13, 2025
Coolgardie woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 13, 2025 GreyLiterature

Salinity - Murray�Darling Basin Authority

View Source
Preview of Technical information supporting the 2023 River Murray: salinity environmental trend and condition report cards.
Technical information supporting the 2023 River Murray: salinity environmental trend and condition report cards. Journal

Technical information supporting the 2023 River Murray: salinity environmental trend and condition report cards.

View Source
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)

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Accessory Publication Relative salinity tolerance of macroinvertebrates from the Barwon River, Victoria, Australia
Accessory Publication Relative salinity tolerance of macroinvertebrates from the Barwon River, Victoria, Australia
Direct Evidence Journal

Pine Creek, near Dutton 2010 Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Report - EPA SA

View Source
Preview of Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing
Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing
Contextual Support Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

The range acknowledges natural fluctuations between fresh and brackish conditions, providing an ecologically relevant benchmark for system health.

Related Benchmarks

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

800 μS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1
1500 μS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Retired v1