Assessor Resource

NWPTRT084
Assess and improve activated sludge and nutrient removal processes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to assess, evaluate system performance and investigate and report on the optimisation of activated sludge and nutrient removal treatment processes in maintaining water quality.

This unit applies to those working as technical staff with a specific responsibility for optimising activated sludge and nutrient removal treatment 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.

Those undertaking this unit would work under indirect supervision, performing complex tasks in 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. Assess process

1.1 Review existing process performance data.

1.2 Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.

1.3 Identify the impact of influent quality on treatment process.

1.4 Identify additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.

1.5 Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.

1.6 Investigate the operational status of plant components.

2. Improve process

2.1 Investigate the cause of effluent quality issues.

2.2 Investigate the operational status of the wastewater treatment process.

2.3 Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies.

2.4 Identify treatment process conditions for optimising the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

3. Report on process

3.1 Compile report on current status.

3.2 Make recommendations on optimisation options.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. The candidate must be assessed preparing recommendation reports on at least one process 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.

identifying wastewater microorganisms

selecting measures to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms

identifying a range of wastewater microorganisms, and their general characteristics and types of problems caused

identifying effluent quality and selecting process control strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms

preparing reports outlining the optimum treatment for various microorganisms including measures to ensure validity

performing various calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions, including at least one of F:M ratio, MCRT

return and wasting rates

preparing and applying chemical dosing as required

reviewing existing activated sludge or BNR treatment process performance with reference to historical data, differences in raw water quality and plant configuration

identifying data deficiencies

assessing fault reports and investigating the current operational status of activated sludge or BNR treatment process plant components

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the determined activated sludge or BNR treatment process optimisation options

identifying the general characteristics of different types of microorganisms

identifying wastewater characteristics that impact on microorganism growth

identifying the problems caused by microorganisms in specific wastewater treatment processes

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.

types, lifecycle, characteristics of wastewater microorganisms

operational problems caused by wastewater microorganisms

effluent quality problems caused by wastewater microorganisms

properties and mode of action of chemical additives

principles that form the basis of activated sludge treatment processes

principles that form the basis of BNR-activated sludge treatment processes, including nitrification and de-nitrification, enhanced biological phosphorous removal

types of activated sludge and BNR-activated sludge treatment processes

activated sludge and BNR microbiology

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. Assess process

1.1 Review existing process performance data.

1.2 Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.

1.3 Identify the impact of influent quality on treatment process.

1.4 Identify additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.

1.5 Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.

1.6 Investigate the operational status of plant components.

2. Improve process

2.1 Investigate the cause of effluent quality issues.

2.2 Investigate the operational status of the wastewater treatment process.

2.3 Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies.

2.4 Identify treatment process conditions for optimising the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

3. Report on process

3.1 Compile report on current status.

3.2 Make recommendations on optimisation options.

Activated sludge processes include:

sequencing batch reactors (SBR)

intermittent decant extended aeration (IDEA)

Bathurst Box

oxidation ditches

Nutrient removal processes include:

biological nutrients removal

fermentation

pre-fermenters

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. The candidate must be assessed preparing recommendation reports on at least one process 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.

identifying wastewater microorganisms

selecting measures to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms

identifying a range of wastewater microorganisms, and their general characteristics and types of problems caused

identifying effluent quality and selecting process control strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms

preparing reports outlining the optimum treatment for various microorganisms including measures to ensure validity

performing various calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions, including at least one of F:M ratio, MCRT

return and wasting rates

preparing and applying chemical dosing as required

reviewing existing activated sludge or BNR treatment process performance with reference to historical data, differences in raw water quality and plant configuration

identifying data deficiencies

assessing fault reports and investigating the current operational status of activated sludge or BNR treatment process plant components

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the determined activated sludge or BNR treatment process optimisation options

identifying the general characteristics of different types of microorganisms

identifying wastewater characteristics that impact on microorganism growth

identifying the problems caused by microorganisms in specific wastewater treatment processes

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.

types, lifecycle, characteristics of wastewater microorganisms

operational problems caused by wastewater microorganisms

effluent quality problems caused by wastewater microorganisms

properties and mode of action of chemical additives

principles that form the basis of activated sludge treatment processes

principles that form the basis of BNR-activated sludge treatment processes, including nitrification and de-nitrification, enhanced biological phosphorous removal

types of activated sludge and BNR-activated sludge treatment processes

activated sludge and BNR microbiology

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
Review existing process performance data. 
Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications. 
Identify the impact of influent quality on treatment process. 
Identify additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance. 
Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components. 
Investigate the cause of effluent quality issues. 
Investigate the operational status of the wastewater treatment process. 
Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies. 
Identify treatment process conditions for optimising the growth of beneficial microorganisms. 
Compile report on current status. 
Make recommendations on optimisation options. 
Review existing process performance data. 
Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications. 
Identify the impact of influent quality on treatment process. 
Identify additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance. 
Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components. 
Investigate the cause of effluent quality issues. 
Investigate the operational status of the wastewater treatment process. 
Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies. 
Identify treatment process conditions for optimising the growth of beneficial microorganisms. 
Compile report on current status. 
Make recommendations on optimisation options. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWPTRT084 - Assess and improve activated sludge and nutrient removal 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

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Assessment Record Sheet

NWPTRT084 - Assess and improve activated sludge and nutrient removal 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:

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Student signature:

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