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

NWP104B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Sample and test water sources and quality

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWP104B - Sample and test water sources and quality
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to collect and prepare water samples and perform water flow and quality tests according to specified standards and parameters relevant to water quality standards.Training and assessment against this unit of competency must incorporate relevant OHS and related legislative requirements.
Employability Skills This unit of competency contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for those who are preparing to enter or considering entry to the water industry workforce or undertaking assignment and field work related to water research. The candidate will be assisted by partnership with a water industry organisation. There are opportunities to integrate delivery and assessment of this unit with mainstream high school programs (mathematics, science, geography, physics, engineering and English). The unit may be applied in a work-like or educational environment.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
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: Prepare for and conduct water quality sampling.
  • Develop sampling plan documenting required samples, sampling locations and sampling schedules to meet assignment requirements.
  • Select and check appropriate sampling equipment for the task prior to use.
  • Collect samples according to sampling plan and ensure safety procedures are followed to limit hazards and contamination to self, work area and environment.
  • Maintain integrity of samples during sampling and label sample containers according to organisational requirements.
  • Check and record sample information.
  • Record results of repeat sampling to identify trends.
       
Element: Prepare for and conduct water quality tests.
  • Confirm instructions for conducting and recording basic water quality tests and plan testing work according to standard practice.
  • Select, check and use required testing and personal protective clothing and equipment.
  • Identify and record correct samples for testing.
  • Conduct basic water quality tests according to standard procedures, ensuring that sample integrity is maintained during the testing process.
       
Element: Finalise work.
  • Make records according to assignment requirements.
  • Report observations or measurements that are outside established organisational guidelines for further action.
  • Dispose of samples and clean and store test equipment according to organisational procedures.
       


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.

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 collect and prepare water samples and perform water flow and quality tests according to specified standards and parameters relevant to water quality standards including:

identifying potential hazards in water sampling.

planning and organising sampling and testing assignment.

using appropriate sampling and testing equipment and personal protective clothing and equipment.

understanding and applying procedures for water sampling and testing.

determining and reporting accurate and relevant results from testing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to resources including:

library, water enterprise information, information sources for research and investigation

mentors, advisors and teachers able to guide and support research and investigation of water resource management

guided visits to key locations associated with water resource management.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques must take into account language, literacy and cultural factors which might have an impact on the candidate's demonstration of competency.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a variety of assignments and activities reflecting the scope and practical requirements of research and practical assignments

assessment can be through assignments, projects, excursions and simulated project-based 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 underpinning knowledge.

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.

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

Required skills:

prepare, collect, label and preserve water samples

dispose of waste and spent samples correctly

produce reports and logs

plan work activities

conduct basic water quality tests

use and calibrate testing equipment

work effectively as part of a team

perform task-related calculations

follow plans and instructions

apply procedures and standards

use literacy skills for verbal and written communication in the assignment

use personal protective clothing and equipment.

Required knowledge:

types and purposes of water samples

procedures and techniques for water sampling

range and purpose of basic water quality testing

test procedures

procedures for disposal of waste and excess water samples

task-related calculations

relevant policies, procedures and standards

assignment planning processes.

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 of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Samples may include:

grab, composite or flow-weighted composite samples for:

microbiological testing

testing for chemical and physical characteristics.

Sampling locations may include:

raw water supply, including:

surface water

groundwater

water distribution and treatment systems.

Assignment requirements for sampling procedures that may be established in a real or simulated environment may include:

standard procedures

Australian Standards, such as AS/NZS 5667 Water quality - sampling

state Environment Protection Authority sampling guidelines

legislative requirements

safety procedures.

Sampling equipment may include:

buckets or wide-mouthed containers

depth samplers

sample dippers

sterile sample containers:

plastic

glass

test-specific (such as acid washed)

weighted sample bottles

dip tubes

composite and discrete automatic samplers

equipment for preservation of samples, including:

refrigeration

cool storage devices

screw top containers

containers for storing and carrying samples safely.

Integrity of samples is maintained by ensuring:

application of correct:

holding time

storage procedures

sub-sampling procedures.

Plan testing work to address a range of requirements, including:

timelines

communication with other team members and individuals

interpretation of organisational and statutory requirements

locations, such as:

on-site testing

field-based testing

laboratory

range of testing procedures and techniques that applies to organisational, plant or field sites

variety of samples to be tested

testing equipment to be used

test reporting systems.

Standard practice for testing procedures that may be established in a real or simulated environment, may include:

standard procedures for testing

equipment manufacturers' operations manuals

methods recommended by Australian Public Health Association (APHA) reference document: 'Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater'

methods recommended by American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) International

safety procedures, including:

risk and hazard assessment

safe handling of samples and chemicals

use of personal protective clothing and equipment

relevant organisational policies

local authority regulations and federal, state or territory legislative requirements.

Basic water quality tests include the range of tests required for competent performance of work tasks in an organisational context, and should comprise at least three of the following types of test:

pH

temperature

electrical conductivity

microscopy

turbidity

colour

chlorine residue

jar testing

alkalinity

hardness

dissolved oxygen.

Records may include:

sample records, field detail sheets or chain of custody forms, including information such as:

time sample was taken

details of person collecting sample

sample point

volume of sample

data gathered at time of collection

pre-treatment

preservation

instructions to transporters

time and logging of sample receipt and testing

visual observations

equipment identification

atypical results

test results.

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
Develop sampling plan documenting required samples, sampling locations and sampling schedules to meet assignment requirements. 
Select and check appropriate sampling equipment for the task prior to use. 
Collect samples according to sampling plan and ensure safety procedures are followed to limit hazards and contamination to self, work area and environment. 
Maintain integrity of samples during sampling and label sample containers according to organisational requirements. 
Check and record sample information. 
Record results of repeat sampling to identify trends. 
Confirm instructions for conducting and recording basic water quality tests and plan testing work according to standard practice. 
Select, check and use required testing and personal protective clothing and equipment. 
Identify and record correct samples for testing. 
Conduct basic water quality tests according to standard procedures, ensuring that sample integrity is maintained during the testing process. 
Make records according to assignment requirements. 
Report observations or measurements that are outside established organisational guidelines for further action. 
Dispose of samples and clean and store test equipment according to organisational procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP104B - Sample and test water sources and quality
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

NWP104B - Sample and test water sources and quality

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: