Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-CON-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 30 to 350 µS/cm

Optimal Range: 30 to 350

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

Upland rivers: 30–350 µS/cm (see supporting information)

Metric Definition:

Specific electrical conductivity of ambient surface water, temperature-corrected to 25°C.

Benchmark Definition:

Reference condition healthy range for specific electrical conductivity in upland woodland rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Justification:

This represents the statutory water quality objective established by the NSW Government to protect freshwater aquatic ecosystems in upland catchments.

Sources (1)

Border Rivers (NSW) Water Quality Objectives Government

Border Rivers (NSW) Water Quality Objectives

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed May 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Water Quality in the Namoi River Basin

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Environmental Impacts of Pipelines

Direct Evidence Journal

Environmental Impacts of Pipelines

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Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers Water Quality Data

Direct Evidence Journal

Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers Water Quality Data

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NSW Water Quality Surface Water Environments

Regulatory Framework Government

Water Quality Surface Water Environments

View Source

Preview of Water Chemistry and Aquatic Ecology study on the effects of waste water discharges from Springvale and Angus Place Collieries on - Environmental Justice Australia, accessed August 17, 2025,

Water Chemistry and Aquatic Ecology study on the effects of waste water discharges from Springvale and Angus Place Collieries on - Environmental Justice Australia, accessed August 17, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Expert Report of Dr Ian Wright: Western Coal Services Mod 5 and Mod 8

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Jun 2026

Notes

This trigger value is derived from reference-site data to define a slightly disturbed or near-natural ecological condition17.

Related Benchmarks

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