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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
Based on the synthesis of the aforementioned lines of evidence, a proposed reference range for water nitrate, reflecting the "best available condition" and "high environmental health" in streams draining regenerative agricultural crop production areas within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands, is <0.1 mg/L to 0.2 mg/L NO3−.
Water nitrate concentration in streams draining regenerative agricultural crop production areas within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands.
Reference range for water nitrate concentration representing best available condition and high environmental health in the specified biome and land use.
This range is synthesized from the lowest ANZECC (2000) regional default trigger values (DTVs) for NOx in slightly disturbed temperate lowland Australian rivers, nitrate concentrations observed in pristine or minimally impacted catchments, and the principles of regenerative agriculture aiming to minimize nutrient leakage and enhance ecosystem health.
Sources (1)
ANZG (2018) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality
View SourceSupporting Sources (3)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Hickey, C. (2002). Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000. Memorandum MFE02237 prepared for Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). NIWA Client Report: HAM2002-126.
View Source
Palaeovalley Groundwater Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Australia - Geoscience Australia, accessed July 31, 2025,
View Source
webcat.niwa.co.nz, accessed May 11, 2025
View Source