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

NWP346B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Monitor, operate and control wastewater treatment processes

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWP346B - Monitor, operate and control wastewater treatment processes
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to perform basic monitoring, operation, control and measurement of wastewater treatment plant and report on system performance and process quality control.
Employability Skills This unit of competency contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for operational staff that may be required to perform monitoring, operation and control of wastewater treatment plant, as an additional and occasional part of their normal job role.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Treatment
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: Monitor treatment plant performance.
  • Carry out routine plant inspections according to the type of plant and organisational and statutory requirements.
  • Select and check equipment and correctly fit and use personal protective equipment.
  • Collect process samples and conduct standard tests.
  • Collect process data and report according to organisational and plant requirements.
       
Element: Prepare and apply chemical dosing.
  • Use, handle and store chemicals according to organisational and statutory requirements.
  • Prepare chemical dosing according to plant processes and organisational and statutory requirements.
  • Maintain information related to chemical supply and usage according to statutory requirements.
       
Element: Operate and control processes.
  • Monitor processes to maintain the parameters of operation.
  • Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of plant according to organisational and statutory requirements.
  • Carry out basic system adjustments to enhance system performance according to organisational and statutory requirements.
       
Element: Compile process records.
  • Compile records from plant and system data to meet organisational procedures and statutory requirements.
  • Report observations outside defined parameters for further action.
       


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 monitor, operate and control routine aspects of wastewater treatment 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 allowed 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 and/or 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 person's 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 (RCC/RPL), 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 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 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.

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:

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 various 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 layout

lock out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

policies, procedures and legislation

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

hazardous materials handling

environment, landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards related to wastewater treatment

chemical dosing processes

system calculations

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant

pumping and valving systems

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 wastewater treatment.

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:

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

visual observation

identification of corrosion damage

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

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

by-laws and organisational policies

standard operating procedures

environment protection

occupational health and safety

chemicals

dangerous goods

lifts and cranes

Environment Protection Authority regulations

licensing agreements

electrical standards.

Equipment used may include:

electronic monitoring and metering systems

manual chart recording systems

basic hand tools

sampling and laboratory testing equipment

computerised equipment

on- and off-road vehicles

communication equipment

personal protective equipment.

Tests may include:

settling tests

microscopic observation

pH

temperature

dissolved oxygen

chlorine residuals

ammonia, nitrate, reactive phosphorus and alkalinity determinations.

Chemicals may include:

chlorine gas

sodium hypochlorite

calcium hypochlorite

carbon dioxide

alum

powder activated carbon

polymers

lime.

Processes may include:

pre-treatment, for example:

screening

shredding

grit removal

odour removal

primary treatment, for example:

primary sedimentation

secondary treatment, for example:

trickling filters

rotating biological contactors

activated sludge

lagoon system

chemical precipitation

solids handling, for example:

aerobic or anaerobic digesters

sludge disposal

disinfection, for example:

maturation ponds

chlorination

ultraviolet irradiation

ozonation

advanced treatment, for example:

chemical nitrogen removal

biological nitrogen removal

biological phosphorus removal

chemical phosphorous removal

micro filtration.

System adjustments may include:

pH correction

dissolved oxygen levels

additional carbon source

variations of run times of equipment.

Records may include:

plant performance data

chemical usage.

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
Carry out routine plant inspections according to the type of plant and organisational and statutory requirements. 
Select and check equipment and correctly fit and use personal protective equipment. 
Collect process samples and conduct standard tests. 
Collect process data and report according to organisational and plant requirements. 
Use, handle and store chemicals according to organisational and statutory requirements. 
Prepare chemical dosing according to plant processes and organisational and statutory requirements. 
Maintain information related to chemical supply and usage according to statutory requirements. 
Monitor processes to maintain the parameters of operation. 
Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of plant according to organisational and statutory requirements. 
Carry out basic system adjustments to enhance system performance according to organisational and statutory requirements. 
Compile records from plant and system data to meet organisational procedures and statutory requirements. 
Report observations outside defined parameters for further action. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP346B - Monitor, operate and control wastewater treatment processes
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

NWP346B - Monitor, operate and control wastewater treatment processes

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: