Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-CON-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

1000 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

Levels greater than 1000 µS/cm can cause problems for some irrigated crops and can damage aquatic ecosystems.

Metric Definition:

Upper critical limit of electrical conductivity beyond which ecological harm is initiated.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper critical limit of electrical conductivity beyond which ecological harm is initiated.

Justification:

State-level science identifying the explicit transition point where elevated salinity causes degradation to freshwater aquatic communities34.

Sources (1)

Preview of NSW Water Quality Surface Water Environments
NSW Water Quality Surface Water Environments Government

Water Quality Surface Water Environments

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 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
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Exceeding this limit signals systemic threat to native species diversity34.

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
350 µS/cm High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Woodland
MaximumOnly Active v1