Water Turbidity

AUS-ASC-LVG-WTU General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 2 to 25 NTU

Optimal Range: 2 to 25

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.

Evidence & Context

"Turbidity. Upland rivers: 2 25 NTU"

Metric Definition:

Nephelometric turbidity measured to assess physical and chemical stressors in upland river ecosystems.

Benchmark Definition:

Reference condition healthy range for water turbidity in upland rivers of southeastern Australia.

Justification:

This represents the default ANZECC trigger value range for upland river ecosystems in South-East Australia, acting as the primary reference condition baseline under the national water quality management framework.

Sources (1)

Water Quality Objectives - Belconnen Trunk Sewer Augmentation Volume 2 Technical Papers

Water Quality Objectives - Belconnen Trunk Sewer Augmentation Volume 2 Technical Papers

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Supporting Sources (16)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,

An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

A large data set measuring surface stream turbidity, dissolved oxygen levels, and water temperature

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Assessing Water Quality - Secondary Education Years 9 to 12 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Assessing water quality - ACT Waterwatch.

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Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality, accessed July 19, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Australian Alps Liaison Committee (AALC). (2011). Caring for our Australian Alps catchments: A climate change action strategy. Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

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British Columbia Ministry of Environment. (2001). Summary of water quality guidelines for turbidity, suspended and benthic sediments.

Contextual Support Government

British Columbia Ministry of Environment. (2001). Summary of water quality guidelines for turbidity, suspended and benthic sediments.

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Feral horses (Equus caballus) increase suspended sediment in subalpine streams, accessed August 12, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Determining Tipping Points and Responses of Macroinvertebrate Traits to Abiotic Factors in Support of River Management

View Source

Natural Characteristics and Human Activity Influence Turbidity and Ion Concentrations in Streams - UCOWR, accessed July 18, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Feral horses (Equus caballus) increase suspended sediment in subalpine streams

View Source

Preview of Scanes, P., & Whitehead, A. (2019). Trigger values for New Zealand rivers: A comparison with south-eastern Australia. Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand.

Scanes, P., & Whitehead, A. (2019). Trigger values for New Zealand rivers: A comparison with south-eastern Australia. Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand.

Regulatory Framework Government

Scanes, P., & Whitehead, A. (2019). Trigger values for New Zealand rivers: A comparison with south-eastern Australia. Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand.

View Source

Snowy Strategic Activation Precinct - NSW Planning Portal

Contextual Support Journal

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2006). Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania Listing Advice.

View Source

Sydney Drinking Water Catchment Audit 2019-22 - WaterNSW

Direct Evidence Journal

Conservation land management aims to preserve ecological integrity and control erosion.9

View Source

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 28, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments, accessed on May 28, 2025

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Turbidity | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 11, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

Turbidity | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 3, 2025

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Turbidity in Surface Water 14 Rehabilitation Standard for the Ranger uranium mine - DCCEEW, accessed August 1, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

ANZG (2018) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality

View Source

Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 – Summary Report, accessed August 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Surface water hydrology and water quality - Gippsland Basin bioregion

View Source

Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report - Water and ..., accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report

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Water quality of surface water environments - NSW Government Water, accessed August 1, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

National Guidelines for Water Quality | Department of Natural ...

View Source

www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support

The Australian Alps Bioregion - Environment and Heritage, accessed on May 27, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 16 Jun 2026

Notes

These values are derived from 80th and 20th percentile statistics of long-term reference datasets, establishing the baseline conditions achievable in slightly disturbed or sustainably managed upland catchments.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-LVG-WTU family.