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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Monitor treatment plant performance.
  2. Prepare chemical dosing.
  3. Operate and control processes.
  4. Compile process records.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required skills

solve operational problems

perform process calculations

produce reports and logs

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

interpret plans charts and instructions

interpret policies procedures and standards

communicate with employees and customers

work effectively as part of a team

use communication equipment

give and receive instructions

prepare and apply chemical dosing

operate computerised equipment

identify control system faults

sample and test products

Required knowledge

system hydraulics

system layout

lock out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

policies procedures and legislation

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

hazardous materials handling

environmental landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards associated with the operation of water treatment processes

chemical dosing processes

process calculations

equipment operation capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant

pumping and valving systems

mechanical and electrical control systems

policies and procedures for storing and handling dangerous goods and chemicals

interpretation and use of material safety data sheets

chemical and biological principles that form the basis of water treatment

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to perform basic monitoring operation control and measurement of water treatment plant processes including

conducting routine plant inspections taking samples and performing basic tests

preparing and applying chemical dosing according to instructions

identifying and reporting system faults

making basic system adjustments according to instructions

completing required documentation

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes standards and government regulations

Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the persons competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition RCCRPL the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated projectbased activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Routine plant inspections may include:

visual observation of:

raw water

floc formation

sedimentation

filtration

filtered water

dosing equipment

interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and the general public

implementation of reporting procedures that may also include procedures for the implementation of by-laws, organisational policies and statutory requirements.

Organisational procedures and statutory requirements may include:

by-laws and organisational policies

standard operating procedures

environment protection

occupational health and safety

chemicals

dangerous goods

electrical

lifts and cranes

World Health Organisation standards

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

licensing agreements.

Equipment may include:

electronic monitoring and metering systems

chart recording systems

basic hand tools

sampling and laboratory testing equipment

computerised equipment

communication equipment

personal protective equipment.

Tests may include:

testing of raw, clarified, filtered and finished water for:

turbidity

colour

pH

finished water should be tested for chlorine residual

other tests may include:

hardness

alkalinity

routine jar testing.

Chemicals may include:

chlorine gas

sodium hypochlorite

calcium hypochlorite

carbon dioxide

alum

powder activated carbon

polymers

lime.

Processes may include:

pre-treatment, for example:

screen systems

lime

chlorination

chemical addition, for example:

coagulation

flocculation

flash-mixing

solids separation, for example:

sedimentation

flotation

filtration

membrane processes

disinfection, for example:

chlorination

ozonation

chloramination

post-treatment, for example:

fluoridation.

System adjustments may include:

dosing adjustments

pH correction.