Water Nitrate

AUS-TDG-CON-WNI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

60 μg/L
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

Oxidised Nitrogen (µg/L) <60

Metric Definition:

Concentration of dissolved oxidized nitrogen in micrograms per litre as Nitrogen, representing the statutory Water Quality Objective for riverine waters under the Upper Dawson sub-basin guidelines.

Benchmark Definition:

Legally recognized sub-basin water quality objectives established to protect slightly to moderately disturbed ecosystems, which includes riparian and woodland waterways.

Justification:

Legally recognized sub-basin water quality objectives established to protect slightly to moderately disturbed ecosystems, which includes riparian and woodland waterways.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nathan Dam and Pipelines AEIS Part B 16 Surface Water Quality
Nathan Dam and Pipelines AEIS Part B 16 Surface Water Quality Journal

Nathan Dam and Pipelines AEIS Part B 16 Surface Water Quality

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Discharge Characterisation and Water Pollution Impact Assessment
Discharge Characterisation and Water Pollution Impact Assessment
Direct Evidence Journal

Discharge Characterisation and Water Pollution Impact Assessment

View Source
Preview of Environmental values, flow-related issues and objectives for the Canning River
Environmental values, flow-related issues and objectives for the Canning River
Direct Evidence Journal

Environmental values, flow-related issues and objectives for the Canning River

View Source
Preview of Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 – Summary Report, accessed August 10, 2025,
Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 – Summary Report, accessed August 10, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

20241104_Devon_Meadows_groundwater-investigation

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

Source reports micrograms per litre; stored in the source-reported unit with no unit conversion applied.

Related Benchmarks

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

0.04 mg/L High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
Point Active v2
0.15 mg/L High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Woodland
Point Active v1
10 μg/L High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Woodland
MaximumOnly Active v1
2.4 mg/L High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1
0.04 mg/L High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
Point Superseded v1