Water Turbidity
Benchmark Value
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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
Therefore, a reference value of < 5 NTU is proposed. This value is: Protective: It sits at the most stringent end of the applicable national guideline ranges, representing a state of high water clarity.
Water turbidity as a measure of water clarity, quantifying the degree to which light is scattered by suspended particles such as silt, clay, organic matter, and microorganisms.
This benchmark represents a high ecological health state for water clarity in urban and developed areas of the Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands biome, based on stringent national guideline values for water turbidity.
This benchmark is a derived proxy representing a state of high ecological health. It is based on the lower-bound trigger values from the ANZECC (2000) guidelines for high-value aquatic ecosystems (lowland rivers: 6–50 NTU) and aligns with the objectives of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) to treat stormwater to a very high quality before discharge.
Sources (1)
(PDF) Impact of mitigated forestry activities on turbidity: assessing ..., accessed August 10, 2025
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