Assessor Resource

NWPGEN008
Sample and test wastewater

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to collect and prepare wastewater samples and to perform basic wastewater tests. This unit does not include off-site laboratory testing.

This unit applies to those working in field operations within the water industry, but might be relevant to others.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work under supervision, while performing routine tasks in a range of familiar contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

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


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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for wastewater sampling and testing

1.1 Receive instructions for taking samples and conducting basic water quality tests.

1.2 Confirm and record samples and tests to comply with requirements.

1.3 Select, check and prepare equipment and resources.

1.4 Select and apply relevant sample preservation methods.

1.5 Select, fit and use personal protective equipment.

2. Conduct wastewater sampling and testing

2.1 Adopt hygienic work practices.

2.2 Collect samples ensuring that types, locations and times comply with requirements.

2.3 Prepare samples for off-site laboratory testing according to requirements.

2.4 Maintain integrity of samples during sampling and on-site testing.

2.5 Conduct basic on-site wastewater tests.

2.6 Assess and report abnormal characteristics and apply incident management principles.

2.7 Record samples and results of on-site analysis.

2.8 Limit hazards and contamination to self, work area and environment.

3. Finalise work

3.1 Apply chain of custody principles.

3.2 Report observations or measurements requiring further action.

3.3 Dispose of samples and clean and store test equipment.

3.4 Clear and restore work area.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. To be deemed competent the candidate must be assessed in a minimum of three of the types of tests, one of the types of condition and one of the types of methods listed in the Range of Conditions. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

calibrating testing equipment

interpreting sampling and testing requirements

preparing, checking and using equipment

preparing, collecting, labelling and preserving water samples

disposing of waste and spent samples

planning and preparing for water sampling tasks

recording all required information

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

Basic knowledge of:

chain of custody

range and purpose of basic wastewater testing and sampling

relevant policies and procedures

blind sampling

abnormal characteristics of water samples

atypical test result data

relevant work-related calculations

maintenance and storage of reagents

requirements for maintaining sample integrity

relevant legislative and organisational requirements

water sample preparation

work planning processes

effects of weather and conditions on work

hazards associated with collection of water samples

incident management principles

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for wastewater sampling and testing

1.1 Receive instructions for taking samples and conducting basic water quality tests.

1.2 Confirm and record samples and tests to comply with requirements.

1.3 Select, check and prepare equipment and resources.

1.4 Select and apply relevant sample preservation methods.

1.5 Select, fit and use personal protective equipment.

2. Conduct wastewater sampling and testing

2.1 Adopt hygienic work practices.

2.2 Collect samples ensuring that types, locations and times comply with requirements.

2.3 Prepare samples for off-site laboratory testing according to requirements.

2.4 Maintain integrity of samples during sampling and on-site testing.

2.5 Conduct basic on-site wastewater tests.

2.6 Assess and report abnormal characteristics and apply incident management principles.

2.7 Record samples and results of on-site analysis.

2.8 Limit hazards and contamination to self, work area and environment.

3. Finalise work

3.1 Apply chain of custody principles.

3.2 Report observations or measurements requiring further action.

3.3 Dispose of samples and clean and store test equipment.

3.4 Clear and restore work area.

On-site test include:

turbidity

pH

dissolved oxygen

electrical conductivity

temperature

Sampling conditions include:

physical

microbial

chemical

radiological

Sampling methods include:

automatic

manual

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. To be deemed competent the candidate must be assessed in a minimum of three of the types of tests, one of the types of condition and one of the types of methods listed in the Range of Conditions. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

calibrating testing equipment

interpreting sampling and testing requirements

preparing, checking and using equipment

preparing, collecting, labelling and preserving water samples

disposing of waste and spent samples

planning and preparing for water sampling tasks

recording all required information

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

Basic knowledge of:

chain of custody

range and purpose of basic wastewater testing and sampling

relevant policies and procedures

blind sampling

abnormal characteristics of water samples

atypical test result data

relevant work-related calculations

maintenance and storage of reagents

requirements for maintaining sample integrity

relevant legislative and organisational requirements

water sample preparation

work planning processes

effects of weather and conditions on work

hazards associated with collection of water samples

incident management principles

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

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
Receive instructions for taking samples and conducting basic water quality tests. 
Confirm and record samples and tests to comply with requirements. 
Select, check and prepare equipment and resources. 
Select and apply relevant sample preservation methods. 
Select, fit and use personal protective equipment. 
Adopt hygienic work practices. 
Collect samples ensuring that types, locations and times comply with requirements. 
Prepare samples for off-site laboratory testing according to requirements. 
Maintain integrity of samples during sampling and on-site testing. 
Conduct basic on-site wastewater tests. 
Assess and report abnormal characteristics and apply incident management principles. 
Record samples and results of on-site analysis. 
Limit hazards and contamination to self, work area and environment. 
Apply chain of custody principles. 
Report observations or measurements requiring further action. 
Dispose of samples and clean and store test equipment. 
Clear and restore work area. 
Receive instructions for taking samples and conducting basic water quality tests. 
Confirm and record samples and tests to comply with requirements. 
Select, check and prepare equipment and resources. 
Select and apply relevant sample preservation methods. 
Select, fit and use personal protective equipment. 
Adopt hygienic work practices. 
Collect samples ensuring that types, locations and times comply with requirements. 
Prepare samples for off-site laboratory testing according to requirements. 
Maintain integrity of samples during sampling and on-site testing. 
Conduct basic on-site wastewater tests. 
Assess and report abnormal characteristics and apply incident management principles. 
Record samples and results of on-site analysis. 
Limit hazards and contamination to self, work area and environment. 
Apply chain of custody principles. 
Report observations or measurements requiring further action. 
Dispose of samples and clean and store test equipment. 
Clear and restore work area. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWPGEN008 - Sample and test wastewater
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

NWPGEN008 - Sample and test wastewater

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: