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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Determine water needs for irrigation
  2. Assess a water source for water quality
  3. Determine cost and availability of alternative water sources
  4. Complete water sourcing or acquisition arrangements

Range Statement


Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

analyse results for electrical conductivity and ionic composition of irrigation water

apply principles of hydraulics to the selection of irrigation systems, legal access and structures

calculate capital and operating expenditure for a water supply system

calculate water losses in an irrigation system

compare costs for different water sources

estimate the irrigation requirements of plants

take water samples


Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

capital and operating expenditure calculations to source water

climatic factors in irrigation development, rainfall, evaporation, evapotranspiration and hydrology

conveyance and disposal of drained effluent

cost benefit analysis

efficiency of irrigation systems and long-term viability

environmental and energy-use implications of resource utilisation and development

irrigation drainage, seepage, surface and subsurface drainage systems

irrigation scheduling, soil moisture measurement

management planning and operation of water allocations

operations and maintenance requirements

plant physiology and plant water use, transpiration crop water requirements in terms of water quality and quantity

plant water requirements in terms of water quality and frequency of supply

re-use systems, management of irrigation systems

salinity and ionic composition impacts on soil structure and plant growth

selection of irrigation systems

soils and water, soil moisture retention and movement, plant root zones and development, infiltration and leaching

types of irrigation systems

water legislation

water supply potential for the development of irrigation systems