Assessor Resource

NWPTRT061
Operate and control wastewater processes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills required to operate and control a wastewater treatment plant and report on system performance and process quality control. The ability to operate wastewater treatment processes to ensure that wastewater disposal or re use meets state or territory licensing requirements is essential to performance.

This unit applies to those working as operational staff in wastewater treatment plants with responsibility for the practical and safe operation of plant, equipment and processes.

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, particularly those relating to WHS.

Those undertaking this unit would work under supervision, performing routine tasks within a familiar context.

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. Plan and prepare for work

1.1 Determine work requirements from work specifications and plans.

1.2 Select and check equipment required to meet safety requirements of task and site.

1.3 Select, fit and use safety equipment including personal protective equipment.

2. Operate and control processes

2.1 Carry out routine plant inspections according to the type of plant.

2.2 Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of the plant.

2.3 Collect samples and conduct standard tests.

2.4 Carry out basic adjustments to improve process performance.

3. Complete documentation

3.1 Collect, record and complete process data.

3.2 Identify data that falls outside normal parameters and report for further action.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. The candidate must be assessed in at least one of the processes 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.

conducting routine plant inspections

interpreting safety data sheets (SDS)

applying basic mathematical formulae

completing logs

determining chemical dosing requirements

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.

sources of wastewater

water cycle

basic hydraulics and organic loading in wastewater plants

basic chemistry and microbiology

types of components

relevant technologies

weather influence on wastewater plants

odour control

physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics and operating principles relating to wastewater treatment

reasons for wastewater treatment

types of wastewater treatment plant processes

major chemicals and equipment used

risk factors and potential hazards relating to wastewater treatment

chemical and biological principles that form the basis of wastewater treatment

chemical dosing processes

relevant guidelines and standards

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. Plan and prepare for work

1.1 Determine work requirements from work specifications and plans.

1.2 Select and check equipment required to meet safety requirements of task and site.

1.3 Select, fit and use safety equipment including personal protective equipment.

2. Operate and control processes

2.1 Carry out routine plant inspections according to the type of plant.

2.2 Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of the plant.

2.3 Collect samples and conduct standard tests.

2.4 Carry out basic adjustments to improve process performance.

3. Complete documentation

3.1 Collect, record and complete process data.

3.2 Identify data that falls outside normal parameters and report for further action.

Current processes include:

primary processes:

screening

grit removal

primary sedimentation

odour control

secondary processes:

activated sludge

nutrient removal

trickling filters

lagoons

tertiary processes:

lagoons

clarification

membrane filters

granular filters

disinfection

solids management:

aerobic/anaerobic

dewatering

gas management

thickening

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. The candidate must be assessed in at least one of the processes 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.

conducting routine plant inspections

interpreting safety data sheets (SDS)

applying basic mathematical formulae

completing logs

determining chemical dosing requirements

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.

sources of wastewater

water cycle

basic hydraulics and organic loading in wastewater plants

basic chemistry and microbiology

types of components

relevant technologies

weather influence on wastewater plants

odour control

physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics and operating principles relating to wastewater treatment

reasons for wastewater treatment

types of wastewater treatment plant processes

major chemicals and equipment used

risk factors and potential hazards relating to wastewater treatment

chemical and biological principles that form the basis of wastewater treatment

chemical dosing processes

relevant guidelines and standards

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
Determine work requirements from work specifications and plans. 
Select and check equipment required to meet safety requirements of task and site. 
Select, fit and use safety equipment including personal protective equipment. 
Carry out routine plant inspections according to the type of plant. 
Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of the plant. 
Collect samples and conduct standard tests. 
Carry out basic adjustments to improve process performance. 
Collect, record and complete process data. 
Identify data that falls outside normal parameters and report for further action. 
Determine work requirements from work specifications and plans. 
Select and check equipment required to meet safety requirements of task and site. 
Select, fit and use safety equipment including personal protective equipment. 
Carry out routine plant inspections according to the type of plant. 
Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of the plant. 
Collect samples and conduct standard tests. 
Carry out basic adjustments to improve process performance. 
Collect, record and complete process data. 
Identify data that falls outside normal parameters and report for further action. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWPTRT061 - Operate and control wastewater processes
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

NWPTRT061 - Operate and control wastewater processes

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: