Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AMR-URB-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1000 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1000

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.

Contributing Benchmarks

MaximumOnly Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the proposed reference benchmark for the best available condition is < 1,000 µS/cm, expressed as a median value during periods of sustained flow.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in urbanized arid mountain ranges during periods of sustained flow.

Benchmark Definition:

A benchmark representing the best available condition for water electrical conductivity in urban land use within the Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived from synthesis of natural hydro-saline baseline, best-practice urban water management, and ecological health requirements.

Sources (5)

Preview of Alice Springs water assessment report - Territory Stories, accessed July 21, 2025,

Alice Springs water assessment report - Territory Stories, accessed July 21, 2025, Government

Alice Springs water assessment report - Territory Stories, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Preview of Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025,

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025, Government

Basin Plan water quality targets; Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018/ANZECC 2000); Australia State of the Environment 2021: Inland water

View Source

Preview of Urban salinity – causes and impacts - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Urban salinity – causes and impacts - NSW Department of Primary Industries Journal

Urban salinity – causes and impacts - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Preview of Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research Journal

Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Preview of Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and Inspiration for Sustainable Stormwater Management in the City of the Future - Manual - HafenCity Universität

Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and Inspiration for Sustainable Stormwater Management in the City of the Future - Manual - HafenCity Universität Journal

Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and Inspiration for Sustainable Stormwater Management in the City of the Future - Manual - HafenCity Universität, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW, accessed August 11, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Journal

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Tuvalu Environment Data Portal, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Reflects a state of high ecological health achievable through best-practice Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), acknowledging naturally high background salinity and aiming to protect a resilient aquatic ecosystem.