Water Turbidity

AUS-TMS-AGR-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

5 NTU
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. The scoring engine uses 2 benchmarks together — the MaximumOnly form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Proposed Benchmark (Dry Season / Baseflow): < 5 NTU.

Metric Definition:

Water turbidity is a fundamental optical property of water, quantifying its clarity or, conversely, its cloudiness.

Benchmark Definition:

Proposed benchmark for high environmental health during dry season baseflow in Tropical Monsoonal Savannas.

Justification:

This range reflects values frequently observed in minimally disturbed Cape York streams (e.g., 0.5 - 5 NTU, with some pristine sites <1 NTU 34) and the NT WQO for Aquifer Fed Springs (<5 NTU 20).

Sources (2)

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"Water quality monitoring in Cape York Streams June to August 2021" (QLD DES 2021) Journal

environment.desi.qld.gov.au

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Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

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Supporting Sources (59)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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"Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region" (NT DEPWS 2020)
Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Journal

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Direct Evidence

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Water quality for livestock

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support

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Contextual Support

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Contextual Support

Goomig Farmlands development: baseline water quality in the lower Keep River, accessed May 11, 2025,

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Contextual Support

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Direct Evidence Regulatory Framework Government

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Season dry season
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 30 May 2026

Notes

The median dry season baseflow of 2.0 NTU (80th percentile 3.0 NTU) in the horticultural area of the Upper Laura River (Normanby) suggests that well-managed agriculture can achieve values within this lower range during baseflow. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.