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What do my results mean?

 

See the WQ Pixel Report Card below for an explanation of your results for farm run-off sites.

 

Nitrate-N

Grade

Nitrate-N level*

Result

A

<0.5 mg/L

Good water quality. Within naturally occurring levels. Keep following your regular monitoring regime.

B

0.5-1 mg/L

Slightly elevated but still within naturally occurring levels.

C

1-2 mg/L

Elevated above natural levels. Slight environmental risk. Review your fertiliser management practices to reduce nitrate loss.

D

2-5 mg/L

Moderate losses occurring and risk of environmental harm. Review your fertiliser management practices to reduce nitrate loss.

E

>5 mg/L

Excessive nitrate levels. Elevated risk of environmental harm. Losses may be financially significant. Review your fertiliser management practices to reduce nitrate loss.

*If irrigating with water that already contains nitrate (such as groundwater on some farms), subtract the nitrate level of the intake water from the runoff water to get your Nitrate-N level.

eg. Intake groundwater nitrate-N level = 5.2 mg/L

      Run-off nitrate-N level = 6.0 mg/L

      6.0 - 5.2 mg/L = 0.8 mg/L

This equates to a B grade from the table (0.5 - 1 mg/L)

 


 

Phosphate

Grade

Phosphate level

Result

A

<500 µg/L

Good water quality. Within naturally occurring levels. Keep following your regular monitoring regime.

B

500-1000 µg/L

Slightly elevated but still within naturally occurring levels.

C

1000-1500 µg/L

Elevated above natural levels. Slight environmental risk. Review your fertiliser management practices to reduce phosphate loss.

D

1500 - 3000 µg/L

Moderate losses occurring and risk of environmental harm. Review your fertiliser management practices to reduce phosphate loss.

E

>3000 µg/L

Excessive phosphate levels. Elevated risk of environmental harm. Review your fertiliser management practices to reduce phosphate loss.

 


 

Turbidity

Grade

Turbidity*

Result

A

<10 NTU

Good water quality. Keep following your regular monitoring regime.

B

10 - 20 NTU

Slightly elevated sediment level.

C

20 - 30 NTU

Slightly elevated sediment level.  Review your farm management practices to reduce sediment loss.

D

30 - 50 NTU

Moderate sediment loss occurring. Review your farm management practices to reduce sediment loss.

E

>50 NTU

Excessive sediment loss. Review your farm management practices to reduce sediment loss.

*Intake water can affect the result of turbidity in runoff (especially when using channel water). If irrigating with turbid water, subtract the turbidity level of the intake water from the runoff water before using the table.

 

 

Disclaimer: The report cards are to be used as general guide only for growers participating in the WQ Pixel project to evaluate their own water quality from farm run-off sites. These guidelines may not be appropriate to all farming situations and growers should always seek expert advice if they have any concerns about farm water quality.