Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-CON-WEC General Moderate 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 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

The MDBA defines a salinity level below 800 μS/cm as representing "low salinity" and a desirable state for protecting a wide range of environmental and agricultural values.

Metric Definition:

Lower boundary of electrical conductivity for low salinity condition

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the lower boundary of electrical conductivity representing a low salinity condition protective of environmental and agricultural values in temperate semi-arid shrublands under conservation.

Justification:

The value is associated with low salinity and is protective of sensitive uses, serving as a target during flow periods.

Sources (1)

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

Salinity - Murray�Darling Basin Authority

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

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
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.
Contextual Support 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,
Regulatory Framework 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 Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

While temporary streams may exceed this during dry phases, it serves as a conservative baseline for a healthy state in this biome.

Related Benchmarks

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

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