Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-AGR-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0 to 100 µS/cm

Optimal Range: 0 to 100

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Considering these sources, and the objective to define the "best-on-offer" real-world state demonstrating high environmental health under regenerative agriculture, the proposed benchmark is a range of <100 µS/cm, with an aspirational target of ≤98 µS/cm where achievable.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) representing the best available condition of nature achievable within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands actively managed for agricultural crop production.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the best available Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) conditions under regenerative agriculture in Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands used for crop production, indicating high environmental health.

Justification:

The benchmark is based on multiple credible sources including percentile data from local reference sites and aligns with ecological health criteria and regenerative agriculture principles.

Sources (2)

Preview of 1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025,

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025, Government

Water Quality Objectives - Border Rivers - NSW Government, accessed August 1, 2025

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Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2021 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025, Journal

Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2021 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch

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Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Managing farm water supplies - Agriculture Victoria

Contextual Support Government

Managing farm water supplies - Agriculture Victoria

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National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ...

View Source

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

Contextual Support 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

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Benchmark represents 'Excellent' or 'High Quality Reference' conditions in temperate SE Australian upland/woodland streams, derived from reference site data. Regenerative agriculture should aim for this low EC, reflecting minimal salt mobilisation and high ecological health.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-AGR-WEC family.