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 to analyse and identify solutions to issues such as the sustainable use of water, drinking water safety and quality, water recycling and the effectiveness of wastewater treatment including:

analysing complex technical, social and legislative issues affecting water sustainability

determining water and wastewater treatment options

researching and reviewing information and developing evidence-based recommendations for the development of relevant policies relating to environmental sustainability.

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 should only be made 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.

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

Required skills:

perform complex research

analyse technical information

analyse financial information

analyse trend data

research and interpret social trends

perform relevant statistical analysis

identify potential or actual operational problems

undertake evidence-based short, medium and long-range planning

prepare complex reports

use computer systems.

Required knowledge:

political, economic and social aspects of water sustainability

principles of cost benefit analysis

concept of virtual water in agricultural and manufactured products

legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to a sustainable water industry

hydrometric cycle

methods for evaluating risks to water quality, assets and services

water sustainability issues and ecosystem quality

recycling models and performance benchmarks

water sustainability in domestic, industrial, agricultural and aquaculture contexts, including stormwater

legislative and regulatory framework for water industry

relevant Australian standards, international guidelines and best practice systems applicable to water sustainability.

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.

Economic issues may include:

costs and benefits of various options

public and private ownership

costing models

increased costs of new developments.

Social issues may include:

land resumption

cost of water supply

damage to ecosystems

equity issues

political exploitation.

Water includes:

water in a watercourse, lake or spring

underground water

overland flow water

water that has been collected in a dam

wastewater of domestic, commercial, industrial or agricultural origin.

Community attitudes may include:

revulsion or fear of contamination

fear of diseases

resistance to change.

Legislation, regulations and policies relevant to the State or Territory may include:

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

relevant state and territory environmental protection legislation

relevant water legislation and regulations

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

water recycling guidelines

water quality guidelines

National Water Quality Management Strategy.

Sustainability may include:

replenishment of resources

maintaining resources

assault on diminishing resource.

Water and wastewater sustainability objectives may include:

sustainable use of water

drinking water safety

water recycling

long-term certainty of sources.

Sustainability issues may include:

leakage

evaporation

sewer mining

grey water use

recycling

intelligent use

alternatives.

Alternative water sources may include:

stormwater

bore water

brackish water

process water.

Range of uses may include:

irrigation

aquaculture

industry

fire fighting

recreation

domestic

replenishing raw surface water or groundwater resources.

Model sustainable water systems may include examples that are:

specific to locations (e.g. Australia, Singapore, Israel and California)

specific to industries (e.g. paper, cooling and food processing)

existing or planned

local and international.

Australian and International benchmarks may include:

data from existing systems

published research.