Mauri Compass
Stream Health Assessment
Mauri Compass: Water Quality
SHMAK Stream Health Assessment
Online
Water Quality Parameters
Measure of acidity/alkalinity. pH 7 is neutral. Most NZ streams are naturally 6.5-8.5. Extreme values stress or kill aquatic life.
Guidelines: Excellent 6.5-7.5 | Good 6.0-6.4, 7.6-8.0 | Fair 5.5-5.9, 8.1-8.5 | Poor
Water temperature affects dissolved oxygen levels and aquatic life metabolism. Optimal range 10-15°C for NZ native species.
°C
Guidelines: Excellent 10-15 | Good | Fair 5-10, 15-20 | Poor 1-5, > 20
Measure of dissolved salts and minerals in water
µS/cm
Guidelines: Excellent < 150 | Good 150-300 | Fair 300-600 | Poor > 600
Distance where disc disappears (100cm clarity tube)
cm
Distance where disc reappears (100cm clarity tube)
cm
Nitrogen nutrient from fertilizers, sewage, and animal waste
mg/L
Guidelines: Excellent < 1.0 | Good 1.0-2.4 | Fair 2.4-6.9 | Poor > 6.9
Phosphorus nutrient from fertilizers, detergents, and animal waste
mg/L
Guidelines: Excellent < 0.01 | Good 0.01-0.03 | Fair 0.03-0.10 | Poor > 0.10
Bacterial indicator of fecal contamination
CFU/100mL
Guidelines: Excellent < 126 | Good 126-260 | Fair 260-550 | Poor > 550
Site Information
Site Health Check
Circle all observations that apply
Actions
Saved Just now