Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-CON-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

390 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 390

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 7 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 6 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Clear detrimental impacts on sensitive macroinvertebrate communities have been documented in Australian alpine streams where EC peaked at levels approaching a few hundred µS/cm (e.g., up to 390 µS/cm due to de-icing salts).

Metric Definition:

Upper electrical conductivity level at which clear detrimental impacts on sensitive alpine macroinvertebrate communities occur.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental EC threshold associated with significant ecological damage in alpine streams.

Justification:

Based on observed macroinvertebrate community changes at EC peaks up to 390 µS/cm due to anthropogenic salt inputs.

Sources (1)

Impacts of road de-icing salts on water quality and macroinvertebrates in streams of the Australian Alps (Shenton et al., 2021).

Impacts of road de-icing salts on water quality and macroinvertebrates in streams of the Australian Alps (Shenton et al., 2021).

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - V, accessed July 22, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |

View Source

Review of water quality studies in the Australian Alps, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Review of water quality studies in the Australian Alps | Australian ...

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Represents a precautionary upper limit beyond which ecological health is compromised.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-CON-WEC family.