Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-CON-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

300 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.

Evidence & Context

whereas for the lowlands (from Gunnedah to the junction with the Barwon River at Walgett) it is set at 300 µS/cm

Metric Definition:

Temperature-corrected specific electrical conductivity.

Benchmark Definition:

Catchment-specific management target under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan framework to prevent aquatic ecosystem degradation.

Justification:

Adopted catchment-specific management target under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan framework to prevent aquatic ecosystem degradation19.

Sources (1)

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

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

Water Quality in the Namoi River Basin

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Border Rivers (NSW) Water Quality Objectives

Regulatory Framework Government

Border Rivers (NSW) Water Quality Objectives

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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

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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 Grassland
Evidence Type RegulatoryTrigger

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Jun 2026

Notes

Frequently exceeded during low-flow periods when regional saline groundwater aquifers dominate flow19.

Related Benchmarks

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