Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
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 5 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 4 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
The proposed benchmark is < 1.0 mg/L as NO3 20-N.
Water nitrate concentration as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3 20-N) in runoff water from temperate grassy woodlands under best-practice livestock grazing.
Benchmark for water nitrate concentration representing the best available ecological condition in managed temperate grassy woodlands.
Derived from typical concentrations in unpolluted Australian streams and below the stringent ANZG 2025 95% species protection guideline value for soft waters, indicating minimal ecological impact.
Sources (1)
North-east Victoria SGS National Experiment site: water and nutrient losses from grazing systems on contrasting soil types and levels of inputs - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceSupporting Sources (41)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
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View SourceCritical nutrient thresholds needed to control eutrophication and synergistic interactions between phosphorus and different nitrogen sources - PubMed, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceLudwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.
View SourceDrinking Water Nitrate and Human Health: An Updated Review - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceEffects of Sheep Grazing Systems on Water Quality with a Focus on Nitrate Leaching - MDPI, accessed August 8, 2025
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View SourceEstimated Nitrate Concentrations in Groundwater Used for Drinking | US EPA, accessed on May 31, 2025
View SourceResponse of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review, accessed July 17, 2025,
View SourceImpact of more intensive grazing on nitrogen and phosphorus in shallow aquifers of the Southern Perth Basin - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 8, 2025
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View SourceLivestock drinking water guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceHickey, C. (2002). Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000. Memorandum MFE02237 prepared for Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). NIWA Client Report: HAM2002-126.
View SourceWater quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed July 31, 2025,
View SourceNitrate contamination in drinking water frequently asked questions - Greenpeace Aotearoa, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceNitrate in drinking water - WA Health, accessed July 10, 2025,
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View SourceNitrates - European Commission - Environment, accessed August 8, 2025
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View SourceNitrogen fixation in Australian dairy systems: review and prospect - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025
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View SourceRegenerative agriculture - Wikipedia, accessed August 28, 2025
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View SourceEnvironmental Monitoring of Nitrates and Other Water Quality Parameters: pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Turbidity - Hanna Instruments Australia, accessed July 31, 2025,
View SourceSeasonal Variation and Driving Factors of Nitrate in Rivers of Miyun Reservoir Watershed, North China - MDPI, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceSoil carbon and climate change - Enviro Data SA, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceSustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. 4. Soil water dynamics and runoff events for differently-managed pasture types - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceSustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. 5. A bioeconomic framework for assessing the long-term economic benefits of grazing management tactics and implications for sustainability - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceSustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceToxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ...
View SourceThe North Wyke Farm Platform: effect of temperate grassland farming systems on soil moisture contents, runoff and associated water quality dynamics - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceThe impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed July 31, 2025,
View SourceTowards sustainable grassland and livestock management | The Journal of Agricultural Science | Cambridge Core, accessed August 8, 2025
View SourceToxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ...
View Source