Water Nitrate

AUS-TDG-FOR-WNI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

0.7 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. mg/L. <0.005. 50. 0.7. (ANZECC 95% Trigger Values for Fresh Water... d Default trigger values for slightly disturbed upland river ecosystems in South-East Australia.)"

Metric Definition:

Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentration measured in freshwater.

Benchmark Definition:

Default toxicant guideline value for Nitrate as N (0.7 mg/L, which corresponds to 3.1 mg/L as total nitrate) used by regulatory authorities in New South Wales to assess environmental compliance.

Justification:

This represents the default toxicant guideline value for Nitrate as N (0.7 mg/L, which corresponds to 3.1 mg/L as total nitrate) used by regulatory authorities in New South Wales to assess environmental compliance.

Sources (1)

Preview of Draft Technical Brief: Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection: Nitrate in freshwater
Draft Technical Brief: Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection: Nitrate in freshwater Journal

Draft Technical Brief: Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection: Nitrate in freshwater

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Data analysis: 2018-2019 catchment nutrient reports
Data analysis: 2018-2019 catchment nutrient reports
Direct Evidence Government

2018-2019 Catchment Nutrient Reports: Data Analysis

View Source
Preview of Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000, accessed August 8, 2025
Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000, accessed August 8, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Nitrate toxicity correction for ANZECC (2000) freshwater guidelines

View Source
Preview of Separate and combined effects of water and nitrogen availability on growth of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus plantations
Separate and combined effects of water and nitrogen availability on growth of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus plantations
Contextual Support Journal

Separate and combined effects of water and nitrogen availability on growth of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus plantations

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type RegulatoryTrigger

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 15 Jul 2026

Notes

Based on the default trigger values for slightly disturbed upland river ecosystems in South-East Australia, matching the production forestry zone in the Great Dividing Range.

Related Benchmarks

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

0.017 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest
MaximumOnly Active v2
0.7 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v2
3.4 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v2
17 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v2
21.6 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v2
31.9 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v2
38.5 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v2
52 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v2
0.2 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1
0.15 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1
0.017 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
0.7 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
3.4 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
17 mg/L High
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
21.6 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
31.9 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
38.5 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
52 mg/L Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Superseded v1