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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Assess sites for reclaimed water irrigation.
  2. Assess quality of reclaimed water for irrigation.
  3. Implement reclaimed water irrigation.
  4. Respond to water or soil quality issues.
  5. Compile reclaimed water irrigation records.

Required Skills

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

Required skills

implement best practice irrigation procedures

monitor and manage soil

solve operational problems

access interpret and apply relevant legislation

apply environmental policies plans and procedures

apply control procedures to environmental risks and incidents

assess environmental risks at the work site

report and record environmental procedures

access interpret and apply standard operating procedures

communicate effectively with customers

complete basic workplace records andor reports

identify soil groups

use safety and personal protective equipment

perform workrelated calculations

work effectively as part of a team

use communication equipment

give and receive instructions

sample and test soil and water

Required knowledge

key principles of irrigation practices including irrigation scheduling

key characteristics of reclaimed water

relevant legislative requirements

standard operating procedures

environmental management procedures

control procedures for environmental risks and incidents

risk assessment procedures

environmental impact assessment

recording procedures

reporting procedures

established environmental management procedures

risk assessment procedures

primary agencies involved in drinking water quality management

water quality performance indicators

an overview of the water supply system

water hazardous agents and preventative strategies

community and agency roles and responsibilities in monitoring water quality

best management practices for the use of reclaimed water for irrigation purposes

reclaimed water usage licensing procedures and requirements

environmental landscape and ground structure of work area

equipment operation capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant

interpretation and use of material safety data sheets

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 monitor operate and control reclaimed water irrigation including

analysis of the critical aspects of reclaimed water reuse management relating to the project or site

implementing reclaimed water reuse irrigation

identifying environment health and safety risks and impact on soil stock and operators

applying environmental procedures

participating in and contributing to reviews of reclaimed water reuse procedures

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

collecting and noting circumstances and observations relating to a specific breaches of legislation

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.

Soil properties may include:

surface soil

subsoil

soil profiles

a, b & c horizons

texture:

rock/gravel

sand

silt

clay

soil structure

aggregates

minerals

pores

soil colour.

Soil sampling may include:

selection of sample site/s using methods such as:

grid

random

zigzag

transect

collection of samples from:

field pits

auger holes

consistent application of sampling procedures as identified by the Department of Agriculture

maintenance of the integrity of the sample according to applicable statutory guidelines (Department of Agriculture, EPA).

Soil testing may include:

soil pH

soil texture assessment

mottle colour

soil nutrients

nitrogen

phosphorus (Olsen P or Colwell P)

potassium

fertiliser requirements

cation exchange capacity (CEC)

exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)

calcium/magnesium ratio

organic matter

hydraulic conductivity

consistence (dry only)

strength

stickiness

plasticity

Emerson dispersion grade.

Water holding capacity may include:

hydraulic conductivity

soil water potential

infiltration/leaching rates

field capacity determination.

Reclaimed water quality parameters may include:

pH

BOD/COD

total salt concentration

total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

soluble salts by electrical conductivity (EC)

nutrients - N, P, K

anions and cations

sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)

adjusted SAR.

Irrigation systems may include:

border check flood irrigation

graded or contour furrows

sub-surface irrigation

sprinklers

localised systems, such as:

drip

micro spray

trickle.

Equipment may include:

electronic monitoring and metering systems

reclaimed water flow distribution systems, including:

pipes

valves

pumps

channels

checks

drains

collection dams

flow control gates

pressured distribution equipment, such as:

sprinklers

travelling irrigators

sampling and testing equipment

infiltration testing equipment

manual chart recording systems

on- and off-road vehicles

communication equipment

atmosphere monitoring equipment

personal protective equipment

communication equipment

computerised equipment.

Irrigation scheduling options may include:

measurement of soil moisture content

on-site, physical soil moisture investigations

evaporation minus rainfall calculations

tensiometers

gypsum blocks

neutron probes

capacitance probes.

Water budgets may include:

weather details

rainfall

evaporation

crop factors and predicted plant water requirement

leaching requirements

soil types and characteristics

monthly/yearly calculation of reclaimed water required

calculation of suitable land areas for use.

Organisational requirements may include:

organisational policies and procedures

occupational health and safety

electrical and mechanical procedures.

Statutory requirements may include:

environmental legislation, including relevant:

Federal legislation

State/Territory legislations

local government by-laws

government or quasi-government policies and regulations

community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements

Water Acts

licensing and/or drainage agreements

plumbing and drainage standards

hazardous substances

World Health Organisation standards

NHMRC guidelines.

Irrigation management options may include:

shandying to reduce salt or nutrient loads

managing algal outbreaks

identification and reduction of odours from irrigation

restricting livestock or public access due to water quality issues

suspension of irrigation.

Soil ameliorants may include:

gypsum (calcium sulphate)

hydrated lime (limil)

agricultural lime (calcium carbonate)

biosolids.

Reports may include:

reclaimed water irrigation data including:

applications dates and volumes applied

volumes of run-off

water quality

rainfall, evaporation and/or other meteorological data

water budgets

salt budgets

plant performance data.