Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AKW-AQU-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

24000 µS/cm
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

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 18 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 17 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

The benchmark value of ~24,000 µS/cm is derived from operational data at the Wakerie, South Australia inland saline aquaculture site (16.0 ppt salinity), as documented in a 2011 review.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the typical water electrical conductivity level for inland saline aquaculture systems in Australia's arid regions, reflecting a viability midpoint for best-practice operations.

Justification:

This value is selected as it represents a 'viability midpoint' for best-practice systems using the saline groundwater characteristic of Australia's arid regions. Confidence is 'Moderate' as the primary source is a review from 2011; however, it represents the best available, publicly accessible, real-world data for this specific land use in Australia.

Sources (1)

Preview of Australia - Brackish Water Aquaculture, accessed July 20, 2025,
Australia - Brackish Water Aquaculture, accessed July 20, 2025, GreyLiterature

Inland saline aquaculture - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Barramundi aquaculture | Business Queensland
Barramundi aquaculture | Business Queensland
Contextual Support Government

Barramundi aquaculture | Business Queensland

View Source
Preview of Growth performance, survival rate and economic efficiency of barramundi cultured in HDPE-lined ponds with high densities - Bioflux
Growth performance, survival rate and economic efficiency of barramundi cultured in HDPE-lined ponds with high densities - Bioflux
Contextual Support Journal

Growth performance, survival rate and economic efficiency of barramundi cultured in HDPE-lined ponds with high densities - Bioflux

View Source
Preview of Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands - Wikipedia, accessed July 15, 2025
Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands - Wikipedia, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Working Draft - Grower Group Alliance

View Source
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

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Aquaculture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark reflects a deliberately engineered and managed ecosystem, not a natural state, which is essential for achieving high environmental health in this context.