Assessor Resource

MSS025006A
Collect and evaluate groundwater data

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians in a range of industry sectors, such as:

environmental services (e.g. sampling and monitoring of air quality, water, soil and noise)

environmental compliance, auditing and inspection

groundwater and clean water (e.g. catchments, supply and environmental flows)

water treatment, storm and wastewater management

solid and hazardous waste management

management of contaminated sites

site remediation or rehabilitation

geotechnical services and civil engineering

natural resource management.

This unit of competency covers the ability to obtain, preserve and transport representative samples of groundwater for laboratory analysis; measure bore conditions and test chemical, physical parameters in the field; and to process data and interpret results. Personnel usually work within an existing sampling or monitoring plan, continually monitor levels of risk and use specified safe working procedures and equipment. They are also required to work closely with drillers during the construction of wells and bores to prevent contamination of samples, obtain logs and manage waste. Note: This unit does not cover laboratory-based analysis of groundwater which is addressed in MSL974003A Perform chemical tests and procedures and MSS025012A Perform environmental microbiological tests.

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

Not applicable.



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.

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

interpreting and applying groundwater sampling/ monitoring plans and procedures for site

recognising site hazards and applying safe work procedures during sampling, testing and transport

providing advice to drillers about environmental requirements

obtaining reliable, representative samples of groundwater

demonstrating correct and safe use and calibration of field instruments and/or equipment

measuring bore conditions and conducting field tests of groundwater parameters to obtain reliable data

calculating results using appropriate units/precision

identifying atypical results as out-of-normal range or an artefact

providing accurate, complete records of sampling and field testing

working safely and following relevant legislative requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSS025014A Perform sampling and testing of contaminated sites.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Resources may include:

vehicles, sampling equipment, field test equipment, digital camera, containers, reagents, consumables and manuals

enterprise procedures, test methods, maps, site plans and site sampling/monitoring plans

safety equipment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

inspection of groundwater samples collected by the candidate

review of groundwater measurements, test results, calculations and site observations produced by the candidate

review of sampling/testing records completed by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidate’s ability to consistently apply enterprise procedures and work safely

oral and written questioning to check underpinning knowledge of groundwater parameters, sampling/test procedures and calculations.

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.

Guidance information for assessment

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

Required skills include:

planning and preparing for field activities

observational and descriptive skills

communicating effectively with site personnel, drillers and supervisors

applying field sampling and monitoring procedures, including pre-treatment, containers, preservation, storage, labelling and traceability

demonstrating correct and safe use, of field instruments and/or equipment, including field calibration

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

collecting representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan

preserving the integrity of samples

identifying atypical sampling conditions and samples and taking appropriate action

cleaning, decontaminating and maintaining purging/sampling equipment

completing sampling records and writing/compiling concise and accurate reports

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

following requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

terminology used to describe aquifers, drilling/construction of wells and bores, and groundwater sampling/testing procedures

principles of representative sampling and field testing of common groundwater parameters

preservation of the integrity of samples

maintaining identification of samples relative to their source, enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements

typical values of groundwater parameters, common pollutants/contaminants

links between quality control, quality assurance, quality management systems and sampling procedures

enterprise procedures dealing with legislative requirements for the handling, labelling and transport of hazardous goods

links between correct occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and personal and environmental safety particularly at high risk sites

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

federal legislation, such as

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:

land use, acquisition, planning and protection

water and water management

pollution and contaminated sites

Australian and international standards and guidelines, such as:

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic set:2007 Environmental management basic set

AS/NZS 5667 series: Water quality - Part 11 Guidance on sampling of groundwaters

Geoscience Australia, Groundwater sampling and analysis - A field guide

Australian drinking water guidelines

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for fresh and marine water quality

enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

government policy (e.g. sustainable development and impact assessment)

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

OHS national standards and codes of practice

site-specific requirements

Enterprise procedures for field activities

Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:

field notebooks or log books

standard operating procedures covering fieldwork, sampling and testing

equipment operating manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault-finding procedures and general maintenance and repair procedures

emergency, first aid and survival procedures

requirements related to protection of the environment

incident/accident/injury report forms

Sampling/monitoring plans

Sampling and monitoring plans may include:

purpose, such as:

identification of aquifers, leakage and hydraulic connection of aquifers

assessment of groundwater movement, flow, recharge and discharge, and quality

assessment of salt, nutrients, pesticides and other contaminants

sampling criteria, such as:

spatial and depth distribution within target

depth to water level for shallow/deep aquifers

contamination potential and land use

nature of recharge/discharge mechanisms

diversity of groundwater use

bore accessibility and bore equipment availability

sampling frequency/duration depending on purpose, such as level, quality indicators (e.g. temperature and electrical conductivity), long-term quality parameters and could be continuous, hourly, daily, monthly, quarterly, six monthly, annual and long term

Site and sampling hazards

Site and sampling hazards may include:

risk of surface collapse around old wells

unsafe stages and ladders

working in confined spaces, such as wells, boreholes, wellheads and basements

exposure to contaminated groundwater and confined space atmospheres

solar radiation, dust and noise

handling bulky or heavy equipment

Safe working procedures

Safe working procedures may include:

use of safety harness, suitable clothing and boots, sunglasses, hat and gloves

use of breathing apparatus

ensuring two persons are present during sampling of wells (one at the surface)

testing of atmosphere for oxygen deficiency and flammable/toxic vapours

working upwind of known contaminants

prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking

separation of heavy equipment into smaller units/cases for transport

location and avoidance of site utility services

securing and counterbalancing of pumps and water filled hoses down the hole

testing and earthing of electrical generators, trip out devices and connectors (especially at waterlogged sites)

shielding of hot surfaces and exhausts

careful handling of glass containers and preservatives

regular medical checks

Drilling and construction of wells and bores

Drilling and construction of bores and wells may include:

drilling techniques, such as auger, rotary air, rotary mud, cable tool, direct push technologies, sonic drilling and vibro coring

bore construction techniques, such as:

use of PVC, stainless steel and fibreglass casings

mechanical casing joints

screen and gravel packs

cement or bentonite seals,

lockable caps, bore name and ID label

piezometer construction techniques, such as:

shallow piezometers

bundled mini piezometers

Purging and field sampling equipment

Purging and field sampling equipment will vary according to the position of the sampler intake, purge criteria used and composition of the groundwater to be sampled, and may include:

Teflon, glass and stainless steel items

bailers and cords, and syringe devices

air-lift, suction-lift, gas operated, bladder, submersible, inertial (foot pump) and submersible piston pumps

inlet screens

flow meter water sampler

groundsheets, scrubbing brushes, hoses, buckets, jerry cans and waste containers

cables, batteries, generator and air compressor

tripods, stands, swivelling blocks and tools

eskies and ice

first aid equipment, sunscreen, drinking water and mobile phone

Sample preparation and transport

Sample preparation and transport may include:

filtering groundwater samples using syringes, filter capsules and hand operated pumps

sample preparation for major and minor chemistry, nutrients and isotope analysis

sampling and filtration for incubated microbiology samples

collecting samples of dissolved and entrained or evolving gases

labelling and packing of samples to ensure integrity, traceability, preservation and prevention of cross-contamination during transit

sample delivery within specified holding times

Field testing equipment and instruments

Field testing equipment and instruments may include:

maps, global positioning system (GPS), two-way radio and mobile phone

tape measures and weights, plopper/samplers and water level meters

flow cells

parameter specific meter or multi-probes, such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature

field test kits for parameters such as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E. coli and biological oxygen demand (BOD)

portable colourimeters and field microscopes

portable gas analyser for CH4, O2, CO2, CO and H2S

sterile sample bottles and other sample containers specific to analytical method

reagents, calibration solutions and cleaning solutions

media/substrates for presence or absence microbiology field tests

filters and sieves

data loggers and digital camera

equipment manuals and sampling/testing procedures

Field measurements/tests

Field measurements/tests may include:

measuring depth of bores and water levels

pH and temperature

electrical conductivity

dissolved oxygen

redox potential

alkalinity using burette titration and alkalinity titrator

presence or absence microbiology field tests

field gas analysis for CH4,O2, CO2, CO and H2S

Field observations and data

Field observations and data may include:

sampling point name, location, time, date and type

nature of aquifer and water bearing strata

well/bore dimensions and description of conditions

pumping status, depth of pump suction and/or discharge

water level within well or borehole

method of sampling and depth of sampling

sample appearance when collected (colour, clarity and odour)

results of on-site analysis (e.g. pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen)

details of sample preservation techniques used

details of on-site filtration (e.g. filter pore size)

details of sample storage method required/used

name of sample collector

OHS and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

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
Confirm the scope and purpose of sampling/monitoring data requirements 
Review available site information, such as site plan, bore locations, construction and history of sampling/monitoring 
Confirm the sampling methods, locations, numbers and types of samples, and duration/frequency of sampling from enterprise or client’s sampling plan 
Check that all sampling/testing procedures are in accordance with client or enterprise requirements, relevant standards and guidelines 
Identify site and sampling hazards and review enterprise safety procedures 
Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and obtain all clearances and/or permits, as necessary 
Review field sampling procedures and sample preparation methods required for specific laboratory analyses 
Select purging/sampling equipment and sampling conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit 
Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or prepared ready for field use 
Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration as required in accordance with methods/procedures and manufacturer instructions 
Assemble and stow all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment 
Arrange suitable transport to, from and around site as required 
Confirm location of well or bore and groundwater monitoring requirements using site sampling and monitoring plan 
Examine the drilling/construction area to identify possible hazards 
Ensure proposed drilling/construction method will not cause contamination and that casing, drilling fluids and any other materials used in the bore are free of contaminants 
Ensure drilling and sampling equipment is cleaned thoroughly before drilling commences 
Ensure protective casings and screens are kept in their protective coverings prior to installation 
Monitor drilling to accurately log samples as required and prevent their contamination 
Locate sampling locations and services at the site and identify possible hazards 
Conduct sufficient measurements to accurately determine water level and bore depth, as required 
Record bore/environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity 
Conduct purging in accordance with defined procedure or method, collect the waste and decontaminate the equipment used 
Collect required representative samples and ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process 
Record all information and label samples in accordance with chain of custody/traceability requirements 
Filter and prepare samples to preserve their integrity for subsequent analysis 
Secure and transport all samples back to base in accordance with enterprise procedures and relevant guidelines 
Assemble required monitoring instruments, equipment, and reagents and conduct pre-use checks in accordance with manufacturer instructions 
Retrieve samples for designated field tests or locate established locations for in-situ testing 
Set up, calibrate and operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test methods/procedures and manufacturer instructions 
Take sufficient measurements of groundwater field parameters to obtain reliable data and in accordance with specified methods/procedures 
Record all field observations/data and ensure that they are accurately transferred to enterprise information database 
Review test data noting atypical observations 
Ensure calculated values are consistent with expectations 
Estimate and document uncertainty of measurements in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required 
Record and report processed results in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out-of-specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel 
Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results 
Compare results with established groundwater quality standards, statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar, if relevant 
Finalise reporting of results in accordance with enterprise requirements 
Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others 
Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and to minimise environmental impact 
Clean/decontaminate all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to enterprise procedures 
Check serviceability of all equipment before storage 
Minimise the generation of wastes and environment impacts 
Liaise with relevant personnel for the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSS025006A - Collect and evaluate groundwater data
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MSS025006A - Collect and evaluate groundwater data

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