Assessor Resource

AHCIRG426A
Evaluate water supply for irrigation

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This Unit applies to irrigation operations managers who are responsible for sourcing irrigation water and analysing its suitability and cost.

This Unit of Competency specifies the outcomes required to evaluate a water supply for an irrigation operation and defines the standard required to: determine the amount required and quality parameters for irrigation water; carry out water sampling and analyse the results; compare costing and delivery arrangements for alternative water sources; and complete purchasing arrangements.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This Unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

Overview of assessment

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

determine the amount required and quality parameters for irrigation water

carry out water sampling and analyse the results

compare costing and delivery arrangements for alternative water sources

complete purchasing arrangements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

apply basic principles of hydraulics to the selection of irrigation systems, legal access and structures

take water samples

analyse results for electrical conductivity and ionic composition of irrigation water

estimate the irrigation requirements of plants

calculate water losses in an irrigation system

compare costs for different water sources

calculate capital and operating expenditure for a water supply system

carry out purchasing of water rights.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

plant water requirements in terms of water quality and frequency of supply

types of irrigation systems

selection of irrigation systems

irrigation drainage, seepage, surface and subsurface drainage systems

salinity and ionic composition impacts on soil structure and plant growth

conveyance and disposal of drained effluent

re-use systems, management of irrigation systems

operations and maintenance requirements.

water supply potential for the development of irrigation systems

management planning and operation of water allocations

water law

cost benefit analysis

capital and operating expenditure calculations to source water

environmental and energy-use implications of resource utilisation and development

efficiency of irrigation systems and long-term viability

climatic factors in irrigation development, rainfall, evaporation, evapotranspiration and hydrology

plant physiology and plant water use, transpiration crop water requirements in terms of water quality and quantity

soils and water, soil moisture retention and movement, plant root zones and development, infiltration and leaching

irrigation scheduling, soil moisture measurement.

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. 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) may also be included.

Water sources may include:

town water

permanent watercourses

storages

underground water

recycled water.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
The water needs of plants to be irrigated are determined 
The permeability of the soil and deep drainage losses are calculated 
Evapotranspiration rates are calculated through the growing season 
Soil water deficits throughout the season are calculated based on expected rainfall 
The amount of irrigation water required through the growing season is calculated 
Water source is tested for electrical conductivity and results analysed 
Water source is tested for ionic composition and results analysed 
Water source is tested for biological composition and results analysed 
Water availability and access requirements are evaluated for water sources 
Capital expenditure requirements are costed for water sources 
Operating expenditure requirements are costed for water sources 
Regulatory requirements for purchasing irrigation water are investigated and incorporated into business planning 
Contractual arrangements are made for purchase or sourcing of water 
Planning is carried out for short term purchasing or selling of water depending on seasonal conditions if necessary 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG426A - Evaluate water supply for irrigation
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCIRG426A - Evaluate water supply for irrigation

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: