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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Confirm groundwater data requirements with supervisor
  2. Prepare for groundwater sampling and monitoring
  3. Liaise with drillers during establishment of wells and bores
  4. Conduct representative sampling of groundwater
  5. Conduct field testing of groundwater
  6. Process and interpret groundwater data
  7. Maintain a safe work environment

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include

planning and preparing for field activities

observational and descriptive skills

communicating effectively with site personnel drillers and supervisors

applying field sampling and monitoring procedures including pretreatment containers preservation storage labelling and traceability

demonstrating correct and safe use of field instruments andor equipment including field calibration

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

collecting representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan

preserving the integrity of samples

identifying atypical sampling conditions and samples and taking appropriate action

cleaning decontaminating and maintaining purgingsampling equipment

completing sampling records and writingcompiling concise and accurate reports

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

following requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

terminology used to describe aquifers drillingconstruction of wells and bores and groundwater samplingtesting procedures

principles of representative sampling and field testing of common groundwater parameters

preservation of the integrity of samples

maintaining identification of samples relative to their source enterprise andor legal traceability requirements

typical values of groundwater parameters common pollutantscontaminants

links between quality control quality assurance quality management systems and sampling procedures

enterprise procedures dealing with legislative requirements for the handling labelling and transport of hazardous goods

links between correct occupational health and safety OHS procedures and personal and environmental safety particularly at high risk sites

Evidence Required

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include

interpreting and applying groundwater sampling monitoring plans and procedures for site

recognising site hazards and applying safe work procedures during sampling testing and transport

providing advice to drillers about environmental requirements

obtaining reliable representative samples of groundwater

demonstrating correct and safe use and calibration of field instruments andor equipment

measuring bore conditions and conducting field tests of groundwater parameters to obtain reliable data

calculating results using appropriate unitsprecision

identifying atypical results as outofnormal range or an artefact

providing accurate complete records of sampling and field testing

working safely and following relevant legislative requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidates workplace

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSSA Perform sampling and testing of contaminated sites

MSS025014A Perform sampling and testing of contaminated sites.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team

Resources may include

vehicles sampling equipment field test equipment digital camera containers reagents consumables and manuals

enterprise procedures test methods maps site plans and site samplingmonitoring plans

safety equipment

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

inspection of groundwater samples collected by the candidate

review of groundwater measurements test results calculations and site observations produced by the candidate

review of samplingtesting records completed by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidates ability to consistently apply enterprise procedures and work safely

oral and written questioning to check underpinning knowledge of groundwater parameters samplingtest procedures and calculations

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a worklike environment

Guidance information for assessment


Range Statement

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

federal legislation, such as

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:

land use, acquisition, planning and protection

water and water management

pollution and contaminated sites

Australian and international standards and guidelines, such as:

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic set:2007 Environmental management basic set

AS/NZS 5667 series: Water quality - Part 11 Guidance on sampling of groundwaters

Geoscience Australia, Groundwater sampling and analysis - A field guide

Australian drinking water guidelines

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for fresh and marine water quality

enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

government policy (e.g. sustainable development and impact assessment)

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

OHS national standards and codes of practice

site-specific requirements

Enterprise procedures for field activities

Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:

field notebooks or log books

standard operating procedures covering fieldwork, sampling and testing

equipment operating manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault-finding procedures and general maintenance and repair procedures

emergency, first aid and survival procedures

requirements related to protection of the environment

incident/accident/injury report forms

Sampling/monitoring plans

Sampling and monitoring plans may include:

purpose, such as:

identification of aquifers, leakage and hydraulic connection of aquifers

assessment of groundwater movement, flow, recharge and discharge, and quality

assessment of salt, nutrients, pesticides and other contaminants

sampling criteria, such as:

spatial and depth distribution within target

depth to water level for shallow/deep aquifers

contamination potential and land use

nature of recharge/discharge mechanisms

diversity of groundwater use

bore accessibility and bore equipment availability

sampling frequency/duration depending on purpose, such as level, quality indicators (e.g. temperature and electrical conductivity), long-term quality parameters and could be continuous, hourly, daily, monthly, quarterly, six monthly, annual and long term

Site and sampling hazards

Site and sampling hazards may include:

risk of surface collapse around old wells

unsafe stages and ladders

working in confined spaces, such as wells, boreholes, wellheads and basements

exposure to contaminated groundwater and confined space atmospheres

solar radiation, dust and noise

handling bulky or heavy equipment

Safe working procedures

Safe working procedures may include:

use of safety harness, suitable clothing and boots, sunglasses, hat and gloves

use of breathing apparatus

ensuring two persons are present during sampling of wells (one at the surface)

testing of atmosphere for oxygen deficiency and flammable/toxic vapours

working upwind of known contaminants

prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking

separation of heavy equipment into smaller units/cases for transport

location and avoidance of site utility services

securing and counterbalancing of pumps and water filled hoses down the hole

testing and earthing of electrical generators, trip out devices and connectors (especially at waterlogged sites)

shielding of hot surfaces and exhausts

careful handling of glass containers and preservatives

regular medical checks

Drilling and construction of wells and bores

Drilling and construction of bores and wells may include:

drilling techniques, such as auger, rotary air, rotary mud, cable tool, direct push technologies, sonic drilling and vibro coring

bore construction techniques, such as:

use of PVC, stainless steel and fibreglass casings

mechanical casing joints

screen and gravel packs

cement or bentonite seals,

lockable caps, bore name and ID label

piezometer construction techniques, such as:

shallow piezometers

bundled mini piezometers

Purging and field sampling equipment

Purging and field sampling equipment will vary according to the position of the sampler intake, purge criteria used and composition of the groundwater to be sampled, and may include:

Teflon, glass and stainless steel items

bailers and cords, and syringe devices

air-lift, suction-lift, gas operated, bladder, submersible, inertial (foot pump) and submersible piston pumps

inlet screens

flow meter water sampler

groundsheets, scrubbing brushes, hoses, buckets, jerry cans and waste containers

cables, batteries, generator and air compressor

tripods, stands, swivelling blocks and tools

eskies and ice

first aid equipment, sunscreen, drinking water and mobile phone

Sample preparation and transport

Sample preparation and transport may include:

filtering groundwater samples using syringes, filter capsules and hand operated pumps

sample preparation for major and minor chemistry, nutrients and isotope analysis

sampling and filtration for incubated microbiology samples

collecting samples of dissolved and entrained or evolving gases

labelling and packing of samples to ensure integrity, traceability, preservation and prevention of cross-contamination during transit

sample delivery within specified holding times

Field testing equipment and instruments

Field testing equipment and instruments may include:

maps, global positioning system (GPS), two-way radio and mobile phone

tape measures and weights, plopper/samplers and water level meters

flow cells

parameter specific meter or multi-probes, such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature

field test kits for parameters such as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E. coli and biological oxygen demand (BOD)

portable colourimeters and field microscopes

portable gas analyser for CH4, O2, CO2, CO and H2S

sterile sample bottles and other sample containers specific to analytical method

reagents, calibration solutions and cleaning solutions

media/substrates for presence or absence microbiology field tests

filters and sieves

data loggers and digital camera

equipment manuals and sampling/testing procedures

Field measurements/tests

Field measurements/tests may include:

measuring depth of bores and water levels

pH and temperature

electrical conductivity

dissolved oxygen

redox potential

alkalinity using burette titration and alkalinity titrator

presence or absence microbiology field tests

field gas analysis for CH4,O2, CO2, CO and H2S

Field observations and data

Field observations and data may include:

sampling point name, location, time, date and type

nature of aquifer and water bearing strata

well/bore dimensions and description of conditions

pumping status, depth of pump suction and/or discharge

water level within well or borehole

method of sampling and depth of sampling

sample appearance when collected (colour, clarity and odour)

results of on-site analysis (e.g. pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen)

details of sample preservation techniques used

details of on-site filtration (e.g. filter pore size)

details of sample storage method required/used

name of sample collector

OHS and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health