Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-CON-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

350 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

The ANZECC salinity guideline (trigger value) for protection of aquatic ecosystems in upland NSW slightly disturbed ecosystems is 350 µS/cm (ANZECC, 2000, 3.3. Physical and chemical stressors, Table 3.3.3).

Metric Definition:

Temperature-corrected default trigger value for specific conductivity.

Benchmark Definition:

Default trigger value from the ANZECC (2000) guidelines for protecting aquatic ecosystems in upland slightly disturbed catchments in southeast Australia.

Justification:

This is the default trigger value from the ANZECC (2000) guidelines for protecting aquatic ecosystems in upland slightly disturbed catchments in southeast Australia20.

Sources (1)

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, Journal

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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,
Direct Evidence Government

Water Quality in the Namoi River Basin

View Source
Preview of Border Rivers (NSW) Water Quality Objectives
Border Rivers (NSW) Water Quality Objectives
Regulatory Framework Government

Border Rivers (NSW) Water Quality Objectives

View Source
Preview of Environmental Impacts of Pipelines
Environmental Impacts of Pipelines
Direct Evidence Journal

Environmental Impacts of Pipelines

View Source
Preview of Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers Water Quality Data
Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers Water Quality Data
Direct Evidence Journal

Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers Water Quality Data

View Source
Preview of NSW Water Quality Surface Water Environments
NSW Water Quality Surface Water Environments
Regulatory Framework Government

Water Quality Surface Water Environments

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Jun 2026

Notes

Serves as a regulatory benchmark to trigger site-specific investigations18.

Related Benchmarks

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

— µS/cm High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Woodland
OptimalRange Active v1
300 µS/cm High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Grassland
MaximumOnly Active v1
1000 µS/cm High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1