Water Nitrate

AUS-TDG-CON-WNI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

2.4 mg/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

Nitrate (as N) in bores MB04, MB06, MB07, MB08 and MB09 exceed the guideline criteria of 2.4 mg/L.

Metric Definition:

Concentration of dissolved nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) in milligrams per litre as Nitrogen, representing the 95% species protection guideline criteria.

Benchmark Definition:

Adopted regulatory guideline criteria established in ANZG (2018) for slightly to moderately modified ecosystems, applied to prevent toxicity in receiving aquatic environments.

Justification:

Adopted regulatory guideline criteria established in ANZG (2018) for slightly to moderately modified ecosystems, applied to prevent toxicity in receiving aquatic environments.

Sources (1)

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

20241104_Devon_Meadows_groundwater-investigation

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 Nathan Dam and Pipelines AEIS Part B 16 Surface Water Quality
Nathan Dam and Pipelines AEIS Part B 16 Surface Water Quality
Direct Evidence Journal

Nathan Dam and Pipelines AEIS Part B 16 Surface Water Quality

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This toxicological threshold is expressed as Nitrogen and represents a standard regulatory trigger in the state of Victoria.

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Point Superseded v1