Assessor Resource

NWP317B
Control water quality in distribution systems

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff with a specific responsibility for monitoring water quality and responding to issues affecting water quality in distribution systems.

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to monitor, identify and resolve water quality problems in water distribution systems. The ability to identify and investigate operational problems, collect samples and analyse technical information, communicate effectively with stakeholders and to interpret and apply incident management procedures are essential to performance.

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 of competency 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, 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:

perform each task outlined in the elements consistently and in a representative range of contexts

meet the performance criteria associated with each element by employing the techniques, procedures, information and resources available in the workplace from those listed in the range statement

demonstrate an understanding of the underpinning knowledge and the application of skills as described under knowledge and skills.

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to:

monitor characteristics of water quality

investigate water quality problems

collect samples

collect and record water quality data

analyse and resolve water quality incidents

inform stakeholders regarding water quality procedures and incident management plans

complete incident reports and other relevant documentation.

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/or 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.


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.

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

Required skills:

identify and correct operational problems

identify and investigate water quality problems

access, interpret and apply relevant organizational and legislative requirements

identifies environmental policies, plans and procedures

undertake sampling and testing procedures

produce reports, logs, etc.

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

investigate type of contamination

interpret plans, service diagrams, topographic plans, charts and specifications

interpret policies, standard operating procedures

communicate with employees and customers

manage system operations and processes

use communication systems

give and receive instructions

monitor inflows

identify control system faults.

Required knowledge:

relevant legislative requirements and responsibilities

established environmental management procedures

control procedures for environmental risks and incidents

environmental impact assessment

primary agencies involved in drinking water quality management

water quality standards and issues

causes of water quality deterioration

system hydraulics

incident management processes

system layout

system processes

systems operation

isolation procedures

sampling and testing procedures

water quality specifications

environmental aspects of water systems and infrastructure

safety procedures

lock out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

policies, standard operating procedures and legislation

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

environment, landscape and ground structure of work area

risk management principles

risk factors and potential hazards involved in water systems

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on operation of infrastructure

pipes and fittings

pumping and valving systems

control systems.

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 if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Monitoring may require:

visual and electronic inspection

the implementation of incident management plans and reporting procedures

the implementation of by-laws, organisational policies, standard operating procedures and statutory requirements.

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

National Water Quality Management Strategy

World Health Organisation guidelines

local authority by-laws

organisational policies and standard operating procedures

environment protection

equal employment opportunity

occupational health and safety, including the use of personal protective equipment

plumbing and drainage standards

Water Acts

electrical and mechanical procedures

hazardous substances and dangerous goods.

Water quality includes:

parameters and standards as set by:

the World Health Organisation

the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC):

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

Water quality problems may include:

loss of disinfection

E. coli

cross contamination

levels of heavy metals, such as manganese and iron

turbidity (nephelometric turbidity units -NTU)

colour (Hazen units - HU)

odour and presence of trihalomethanes (THMs).

System data may include:

sampling and testing records

infrastructure failures

customer complaints.

Investigation may require:

the identification of possible contamination in areas including:

catchment areas,

bulkwater assets,

water transfer assets

water distribution assets

sampling procedures

interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and the general public.

Incident management procedures may include:

categorisation of the incident

implementation of the incident management control plan

customer notification

notification to relevant state or territory government departments.

Stakeholders may include:

consumers

employee groups

community groups

government departments.

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
Conduct monitoring of water quality according to organisational and statutory requirements. 
Investigate water quality problems and identify the cause according to organisational requirements. 
Collect, analyse and report system data according to organisational requirements. 
Collect, label and record samples according to organisational requirements. 
Correctly select, fit and use required safety equipment, including personal protective equipment. 
Analyse incidents and apply incident management procedures to resolve water quality problems. 
Notify stakeholders of policies, procedures and plans. 
Monitor the recovery of the system and measure recovery according to organisational requirements. 
Investigate and review results and take action according to organisational requirements. 
Report process faults according to organisational requirements. 
Compile reports from system data according to organisational requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP317B - Control water quality in distribution systems
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

NWP317B - Control water quality in distribution systems

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: