Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Identify sources and characteristics of wastewater and reasons for wastewater treatment .

1.1 Identify wastewater sources  and characteristics.

1.2 Identify reasons  and statutory requirements  for wastewater treatment.

2 Monitor and report on wastewater quality .

2.1 Identify wastewater treatment processes  and determine their application.

2.2 Check characteristics of wastewater  according to organisational procedures.

2.3 Record and report wastewater quality according to organisational procedures.

3 Follow safety requirements for work in a wastewater treatment plant .

3.1 Identify and record hazards of working in a wastewater treatment plant.

3.2 Identify operational requirements for safe and effective use of equipment .

3.3 Select, fit and use safety equipment, including personal protective equipment.

3.4 Identify and apply safe work practices when handling chemicals  and working in a wastewater treatment plant.

4 Monitor and report on wastewater treatment .

4.1 Identify operating principles used in wastewater treatment processes.

4.2 Complete records required for effective operation of a wastewater treatment plant.

4.3 Identify, record and report range of data  routinely collected.

4.4 Carry out, record and report process calculations .

4.5 Identify data that falls outside normal operating parameters  and report for further action.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills :

• apply policies, procedures and standards
• recognise and report operational problems
• use safety equipment and personal protective equipment
• select, collect and test samples
• interpret material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• receive and apply instructions
• use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace
• communicate with other employees and people that interact within the work environment

Required knowledge :

• sources of wastewater
• physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics and operating principles related to wastewater treatment
• reasons for wastewater treatment
• types of wastewater treatment plant processes
• major chemicals and equipment used
• wastewater treatment plant hazards
• safety equipment
• reasons for data and information collection

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The candidate should demonstrate the ability tomonitor and report on wastewater treatment processes within domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants in urban and rural areas including:

• performing, recording and reporting process measurements and calculations
• demonstrating procedures for starting and stopping plant and locking out control equipment
• adjusting process controls according to specific plant procedures
• recording and reporting faults and breakdowns
• identifying common process faults and following procedures to rectify these

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Access to the workplace and resources including:

• documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
• relevant codes, standards and government regulations

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice
• a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
• where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
• assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Wastewater sources  may include:

• domestic
• industrial
• storm
• ground

Reasons for treatment  may include:

• ensuring conformity with legislation, regulations, standards and codes
• removal of impurities and contaminants to enable discharge or re-use
• reducing impact of impurities on the environment and public health

Statutory requirements  are defined by:

• relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations
• codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
• documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs
• relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements

Wastewater treatment processes  may include:

• grit removal
• aeration
• screening
• sedimentation
• disinfection
• granular and membrane filtration
• thickening and dewatering
• suspended and fixed media aerobic bioreactor processes
• anaerobic processes
• lagoons and wetlands
• gas scrubbers
• biosolids and effluent disposal and re-use
• dilution
• chemical dosing
• nutrient removal
• reverse osmosis

Characteristics of wastewater  may include:

• types of impurities, such as:

• organic
• inorganic

• micro-organisms
• public health considerations

Equipment  used may include:

• pumps, including:

• centrifugal
• positive displacement
• airlift

• blowers
• screens
• control valves
• electronic digital monitoring systems
• recording systems
• chemical testing and analysis equipment
• communication equipment
• belt press
• centrifuge
• comminutor
• flow meters
• flow recorders
• manual or hydraulic equipment
• personal protective equipment

Chemicals  and major equipment used may include:

• chemicals and lime
• sodium hypochlorite
• aluminium and iron coagulants
• polymers

Data  may include:

• instantaneous flow rate
• flow records
• temperature
• sand and grit
• pH
• chemical oxygen demand
• dissolved oxygen
• settleable solids concentration (cone test)
• thirty minute settleability test
• sludge blanket level
• residual chlorine
• microscopic examination
• conductivity

Process calculations  may include:

• average dry weather flow
• peak dry weather flow
• chemical feed rate and concentration
• process efficiency

Wastewater quality parameters  may include:

• physical
• chemical
• microbiological