Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCIRG334 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate and maintain gravity fed irrigation systems

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCIRG334 - Operate and maintain gravity fed irrigation systems
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to install, operate and maintain surface irrigation structures and components.It applies to individuals who take responsibility for own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Install surface irrigation systems
  • Check water supply is compatible with system specifications
  • Interpret plan, mark out structures and peg earthworks
  • Prepare and maintain beds, diversion and conveyancing structures
  • Install diversion and conveyancing structures, channels and beds
  • Prepare bed surface with roto-buck
  • Test structures for configuration, flow rates and capacity
       
Element: Complete water measurement and tail-water works
  • Install water measurement structures
  • Install channels and tail water storages
  • Install pumping equipment, lines and filters
  • Confirm that the system configuration and capacity matches the installation plan
  • Finish off earthworks and structures
       
Element: Operate pumps and siphons
  • Prime pumps and open or close valves and controls
  • Position and set up pipes, system equipment and outlets
  • Prime and start siphons and other delivery mechanisms
  • Implement start up sequence and slowly build up water levels and pressure
  • Check pressure at the head-works and control valves
  • Distribute water evenly to the targeted areas with minimal wastage and run-off
  • Irrigate area and observe time lag between shut down and end of watering to minimise run-off and deep percolation
       
Element: Measure and interpret water levels, flow rates and volume of water used
  • Monitor and maintain head water levels
  • Confirm that all water outlets are operating correctly
  • Replace or clear blocked inlets and outlets
  • Measure and record flow rates and water usage
  • Implement irrigation changes as required
       
Element: Monitor drainage and tail-water systems
  • Monitor water intake, conveyance and distribution, drainage and tail-water
  • Check water reuse systems for clearance and freedom from weeds
  • Monitor pumps, if used, during operation, clear rubbish from outlets and backflush pump
       
Element: Inspect and maintain a surface irrigation system
  • Record damage and blockages with contaminants by damage type, location and the section of the system affected
  • Record and report damaged or faulty pumps, valves, electrical components and computer control systems and take action to effect repairs
  • Service water measuring, diversion and conveyancing, and distribution structures
  • Carry out vegetation control to keep all system components clear
  • Undertake servicing and repair of mechanical equipment
       


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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Install surface irrigation systems

1.1 Check water supply is compatible with system specifications

1.2 Interpret plan, mark out structures and peg earthworks

1.3 Prepare and maintain beds, diversion and conveyancing structures

1.4 Install diversion and conveyancing structures, channels and beds

1.5 Prepare bed surface with roto-buck

1.6 Test structures for configuration, flow rates and capacity

2. Complete water measurement and tail-water works

2.1 Install water measurement structures

2.2 Install channels and tail water storages

2.3 Install pumping equipment, lines and filters

2.4 Confirm that the system configuration and capacity matches the installation plan

2.5 Finish off earthworks and structures

3. Operate pumps and siphons

3.1 Prime pumps and open or close valves and controls

3.2 Position and set up pipes, system equipment and outlets

3.3 Prime and start siphons and other delivery mechanisms

3.4 Implement start up sequence and slowly build up water levels and pressure

3.5 Check pressure at the head-works and control valves

3.6 Distribute water evenly to the targeted areas with minimal wastage and run-off

3.7 Irrigate area and observe time lag between shut down and end of watering to minimise run-off and deep percolation

4. Measure and interpret water levels, flow rates and volume of water used

4.1 Monitor and maintain head water levels

4.2 Confirm that all water outlets are operating correctly

4.3 Replace or clear blocked inlets and outlets

4.4 Measure and record flow rates and water usage

4.5 Implement irrigation changes as required

5. Monitor drainage and tail-water systems

5.1 Monitor water intake, conveyance and distribution, drainage and tail-water

5.2 Check water reuse systems for clearance and freedom from weeds

5.3 Monitor pumps, if used, during operation, clear rubbish from outlets and backflush pump

6. Inspect and maintain a surface irrigation system

6.1 Record damage and blockages with contaminants by damage type, location and the section of the system affected

6.2 Record and report damaged or faulty pumps, valves, electrical components and computer control systems and take action to effect repairs

6.3 Service water measuring, diversion and conveyancing, and distribution structures

6.4 Carry out vegetation control to keep all system components clear

6.5 Undertake servicing and repair of mechanical equipment

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:

adjust and monitor check valves

build and maintain irrigation structures, channels and beds

carry out running repairs on irrigation delivery and drainage systems

carry out shut down procedures, clean equipment and dispose of waste

check pressure at the head works and control valves

check the serviceability of siphons

identify variations in water flow and distribution

inspect irrigation systems

install pumps and pipelines

measure water usage

perform system commissioning tasks

prepare irrigation beds

remove and replace gates, slides and doors

remove and replace valves and filters

start and move siphons and spiles and check flow

start up the system

undertake minor repairs of equipment

use roto-buck for bed preparation

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of surface irrigation

behaviour of water on varying terrain and soil types

calculations for installing surface irrigation systems

characteristics and operation of components

components of a surface irrigation system

environmental impacts of surface irrigation installation

soil characteristics

soil water retention testing techniques

water quality and water filtration techniques

common operational and maintenance problems

common operational problems

environmental impacts of irrigation maintenance

maintenance requirements – routine and end of season

surface irrigation system components

weed control methods


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Install surface irrigation systems

1.1 Check water supply is compatible with system specifications

1.2 Interpret plan, mark out structures and peg earthworks

1.3 Prepare and maintain beds, diversion and conveyancing structures

1.4 Install diversion and conveyancing structures, channels and beds

1.5 Prepare bed surface with roto-buck

1.6 Test structures for configuration, flow rates and capacity

2. Complete water measurement and tail-water works

2.1 Install water measurement structures

2.2 Install channels and tail water storages

2.3 Install pumping equipment, lines and filters

2.4 Confirm that the system configuration and capacity matches the installation plan

2.5 Finish off earthworks and structures

3. Operate pumps and siphons

3.1 Prime pumps and open or close valves and controls

3.2 Position and set up pipes, system equipment and outlets

3.3 Prime and start siphons and other delivery mechanisms

3.4 Implement start up sequence and slowly build up water levels and pressure

3.5 Check pressure at the head-works and control valves

3.6 Distribute water evenly to the targeted areas with minimal wastage and run-off

3.7 Irrigate area and observe time lag between shut down and end of watering to minimise run-off and deep percolation

4. Measure and interpret water levels, flow rates and volume of water used

4.1 Monitor and maintain head water levels

4.2 Confirm that all water outlets are operating correctly

4.3 Replace or clear blocked inlets and outlets

4.4 Measure and record flow rates and water usage

4.5 Implement irrigation changes as required

5. Monitor drainage and tail-water systems

5.1 Monitor water intake, conveyance and distribution, drainage and tail-water

5.2 Check water reuse systems for clearance and freedom from weeds

5.3 Monitor pumps, if used, during operation, clear rubbish from outlets and backflush pump

6. Inspect and maintain a surface irrigation system

6.1 Record damage and blockages with contaminants by damage type, location and the section of the system affected

6.2 Record and report damaged or faulty pumps, valves, electrical components and computer control systems and take action to effect repairs

6.3 Service water measuring, diversion and conveyancing, and distribution structures

6.4 Carry out vegetation control to keep all system components clear

6.5 Undertake servicing and repair of mechanical equipment

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
Check water supply is compatible with system specifications 
Interpret plan, mark out structures and peg earthworks 
Prepare and maintain beds, diversion and conveyancing structures 
Install diversion and conveyancing structures, channels and beds 
Prepare bed surface with roto-buck 
Test structures for configuration, flow rates and capacity 
Install water measurement structures 
Install channels and tail water storages 
Install pumping equipment, lines and filters 
Confirm that the system configuration and capacity matches the installation plan 
Finish off earthworks and structures 
Prime pumps and open or close valves and controls 
Position and set up pipes, system equipment and outlets 
Prime and start siphons and other delivery mechanisms 
Implement start up sequence and slowly build up water levels and pressure 
Check pressure at the head-works and control valves 
Distribute water evenly to the targeted areas with minimal wastage and run-off 
Irrigate area and observe time lag between shut down and end of watering to minimise run-off and deep percolation 
Monitor and maintain head water levels 
Confirm that all water outlets are operating correctly 
Replace or clear blocked inlets and outlets 
Measure and record flow rates and water usage 
Implement irrigation changes as required 
Monitor water intake, conveyance and distribution, drainage and tail-water 
Check water reuse systems for clearance and freedom from weeds 
Monitor pumps, if used, during operation, clear rubbish from outlets and backflush pump 
Record damage and blockages with contaminants by damage type, location and the section of the system affected 
Record and report damaged or faulty pumps, valves, electrical components and computer control systems and take action to effect repairs 
Service water measuring, diversion and conveyancing, and distribution structures 
Carry out vegetation control to keep all system components clear 
Undertake servicing and repair of mechanical equipment 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG334 - Operate and maintain gravity fed irrigation systems
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

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCIRG334 - Operate and maintain gravity fed irrigation systems

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:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: