Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-FOR-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 30 to 146 µS/cm
Thresholds: Lower: 22, Upper: 350
Optimal Range: 30 to 146
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.

Evidence & Context

At these high-quality reference sites, the observed electrical conductivity values ranged from 0.022 to 0.146 mS/cm, which converts to 22 to 146 ³S/cm.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a fundamental measure of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current, a property directly proportional to the concentration of dissolved ionic substances.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the range of electrical conductivity in healthy, minimally impacted temperate streams in south-eastern Australia, reflecting the natural concentration of dissolved ions in water under best-practice production forestry management.

Justification:

The benchmark represents the observed range of electrical conductivity in minimally disturbed reference sites in a comparable temperate Australian biome, reflecting the best available natural condition. This is justified as the target for best-practice production forestry, where management of physical disturbance (e.g., erosion) is the primary determinant of water quality.

Sources (1)

Preview of The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate
The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate Journal

The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (28)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of ABARES report reaffirms sustainability, sovereign capability and climate credentials of Australian native forestry, accessed August 10, 2025,
ABARES report reaffirms sustainability, sovereign capability and climate credentials of Australian native forestry, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Review of fertiliser use in Australian forestry - Forest & Wood Products Australia

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Preview of An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,
An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria

View Source
Preview of Australian freshwater study - Watertrust Australia, accessed August 10, 2025
Australian freshwater study - Watertrust Australia, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Australian freshwater study - Watertrust Australia, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting, accessed August 11, 2025,
Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Best Management Practices - National Association of State Foresters, accessed July 12, 2025,
Best Management Practices - National Association of State Foresters, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Best Management Practices - National Association of State Foresters, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Chapter 2: Water Quality and Forestry Activities - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed July 20, 2025,
Chapter 2: Water Quality and Forestry Activities - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Chapter 2: Water Quality and Forestry Activities - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Characterising the relationship between water quality and water quantity, accessed August 5, 2025
Characterising the relationship between water quality and water quantity, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Report Card 2022-23 - EPA Victoria

View Source
Preview of Establishment of reference conditions and trigger values for chemical, physical and micro-biological indicators in New Zealand streams and rivers - Ministry for the Environment, accessed August 11, 2025,
Establishment of reference conditions and trigger values for chemical, physical and micro-biological indicators in New Zealand streams and rivers - Ministry for the Environment, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

View Source
Preview of Guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support

Guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Improved forest management - CSIRO, accessed July 12, 2025,
Improved forest management - CSIRO, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Ecosystem wicks: Woodland trees enhance water infiltration in a fragmented agricultural landscape in eastern Australia, accessed May 15, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Managing forests for water [Chapter 3] - USDA Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025
Managing forests for water [Chapter 3] - USDA Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support

Managing forests for water [Chapter 3] - USDA Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Review of the current state of knowledge for the monitoring of forestry impacts on waterway health in NSW coastal forests - Natural Resources Commission, accessed August 9, 2025
Review of the current state of knowledge for the monitoring of forestry impacts on waterway health in NSW coastal forests - Natural Resources Commission, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Potential effects of climate change on forests and forestry in Australia

View Source
Preview of South Eastern Highlands - Wikipedia, accessed August 10, 2025
South Eastern Highlands - Wikipedia, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

South Eastern Highlands - Wikipedia, accessed August 10, 2025

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Preview of Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025
Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support

Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia

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Preview of Statewide water quality monitoring | WMIS Site, accessed August 10, 2025
Statewide water quality monitoring | WMIS Site, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Government

Statewide water quality monitoring | WMIS Site, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of The Effects of Elevated Specific Conductivity on the Chronic Toxicity of Mining Influenced Streams Using Ceriodaphnia dubia - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
The Effects of Elevated Specific Conductivity on the Chronic Toxicity of Mining Influenced Streams Using Ceriodaphnia dubia - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source
Preview of The South Eastern Highlands Bioregion - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 10, 2025
The South Eastern Highlands Bioregion - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support

The South Eastern Highlands Bioregion - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of TOXICOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE OSMOREGULATION AND IONOREGULATION PHYSIOLOGY OF MAJOR IONS BY FRESHWATER ANIMALS: TELEOST FISH, CRUSTACEA, AQUATIC INSECTS, AND MOLLUSCA - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
TOXICOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE OSMOREGULATION AND IONOREGULATION PHYSIOLOGY OF MAJOR IONS BY FRESHWATER ANIMALS: TELEOST FISH, CRUSTACEA, AQUATIC INSECTS, AND MOLLUSCA - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

TOXICOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE OSMOREGULATION AND IONOREGULATION PHYSIOLOGY OF MAJOR IONS BY FRESHWATER ANIMALS: TELEOST FISH, CRUSTACEA, AQUATIC INSECTS, AND MOLLUSCA - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025

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Preview of Treatment systems for agriculture – Farm and waterway best ..., accessed July 18, 2025,
Treatment systems for agriculture – Farm and waterway best ..., accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Treatment systems for agriculture  Farm and waterway best management practices, accessed August 10, 2025

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Preview of Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW, accessed August 11, 2025,
Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

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

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Preview of Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report - Water and ..., accessed August 12, 2025,
Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report - Water and ..., accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Victorian Water Quality Analysis 2022 Technical Report - Water and ..., accessed August 10, 2025

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Preview of Water footprint and forestry standards published - Sustainability Matters, accessed August 10, 2025
Water footprint and forestry standards published - Sustainability Matters, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Water footprint and forestry standards published - Sustainability Matters, accessed August 10, 2025

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Preview of Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,
Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Drivers of water quality in Afromontane-savanna rivers - Frontiers

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Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,
Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

View Source
Preview of Water Quality Objectives - Murray River catchment (NSW), accessed May 13, 2025,
Water Quality Objectives - Murray River catchment (NSW), accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Murray River catchment (NSW) Water Quality Objectives explained, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Watershed Forestry - Best Management Practices to Protect Soil and Water - Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025
Watershed Forestry - Best Management Practices to Protect Soil and Water - Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Watershed Forestry - Best Management Practices to Protect Soil and Water - Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 9, 2025
Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support

(PDF) Effects of salinisation on riparian plant communities in ..., accessed July 10, 2025,

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Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 30 µS/cm. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 350 µS/cm. Values above 150 µS/cm indicate degraded conditions. RangeFixup applied 2026-03-21 22:21 UTC: LowerThreshold: 30 → 22; LowerBound: 22 → 30; OptimalRangeHigh: 150 → 146; UpperBound: 146 → 150 [Migration] Original wider evidence range: 30 – 150 (retained OptimalRange: 30 – 146)