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

NWP409A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Investigate and plan to optimise the operation of chemical addition processes

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWP409A - Investigate and plan to optimise the operation of chemical addition processes
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to review, coordinate and optimise chemical addition processes and to evaluate and report on system performance and process quality control.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit is required by technical staff with a responsibility for optimising chemical addition processes in water, wastewater and stormwater treatment plants and processes. This role may be a single operator or may be performed as part of a team with some responsibility for team coordination and supervision depending on the size of the treatment plant.
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: Evaluate coagulation and flocculation process performance.
  • Review existing process performance data against relevant organisational and legislative requirements.
  • Identify the impact of changing raw water quality on chemical addition processes as required.
  • Identify and coordinate any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.
       
Element: Investigate chemical addition plant configuration.
  • Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.
  • Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications.
  • Carry out plant configuration investigations to identify potential deficiencies.
       
Element: Investigate chemical options for process optimisation.
  • Review current chemical addition practices with reference to organisational procedures to identify potential deficiencies.
  • Investigate dosing options for current chemicals.
  • Identify and investigate new or additional chemicals and related dosing options.
       
Element: Develop and record a plan for process optimisation.
  • Determine plant configuration or chemical options for process optimisation.
  • Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.
  • Compile report with recommendations on optimisation options.
       


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, 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 review, coordinate and optimise chemical addition processes including:

reviewing existing process performance with reference to historical data, differences in raw water quality and plant configuration

identifying data deficiencies and organising additional data collection through appropriate sampling and testing

assessing fault reports and investigating the current operational status of plant components

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the determined optimisation options and compiling reports making recommendations.

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 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 only taken at the point 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.

Questioning will be appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect 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.

Required skills:

investigate and report on operational and control system problems

coordinate sampling and testing

conduct a full range of jar tests covering various water quality scenarios

perform mathematical calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions

investigate chemical dosing

interpret plans, charts and instructions

operate control and communication systems

use safety and personal protective equipment

communicate with colleagues, consultants and suppliers

produce optimisation reports

interpret a range of complex and technical documents, including relevant:

regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

articulate complex ideas clearly

analyse and evaluate reports and reference materials

work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders and team members

analyse problems and recommend appropriate remedial solutions

identify and respond to risks and hazards

identify opportunities for improved water management

participate in the provision of appropriate information to inform workplace processes

manage work priorities

use information effectively to improve work performance.

Required knowledge:

the role of chemical addition in water treatment

the principles of chemical addition, including enhanced coagulation

chemical addition plant and equipment and system layout

chemical concepts and reactions relevant to chemical addition processes, including pH and alkalinity

the range and characteristics of chemicals used in chemical addition processes

the functions of various chemicals in chemical addition processes

factors influencing the effectiveness of chemicals in chemical addition processes

the factors affecting the selection of chemicals in chemical addition processes

relevant historical records

relevant legislation

relevant enterprise policies

range of appropriate measuring and testing procedures

investigation procedures

risk management principle

customer expectations and requirements

occupational health and safety and environmental legislation

relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures.

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. 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) may also be included.

Organisational or legislative requirements may include:

organisational performance quality standards

standard operating procedures

quality assurance guidelines

federal, state and local environmental and water quality legislation

occupational health and safety requirements

water quality standards and guidelines.

Changing raw water quality may include:

pH

turbidity

colour

presence of algae

temperature.

Testing may include:

jar testing

flocculation growth

mixing energy

UV absorbance

pH

colour

turbidity

residual aluminium or iron

quality of treatment chemicals.

Plant components may include:

mixing equipment

streaming current detector

dosing pumps

chemical injection equipment

turbidity meter

particle counter.

Manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications may include:

dosing pump capacity and calibration charts

detention times

mixing intensity for flash or rapid mixing and flocculation.

Plant configuration may include:

location of chemical dosing points

mixing or reaction detention times

type of mixer or impeller.

Chemicals may include:

Polyaluminium chloride (PACL)

aluminium sulphate

aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH)

ferric chloride

ferric sulphate

polyDADMAC

polyacrylamide

sulphuric acid

hydrated lime

caustic soda.

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
Review existing process performance data against relevant organisational and legislative requirements. 
Identify the impact of changing raw water quality on chemical addition processes as required. 
Identify and coordinate any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance. 
Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications. 
Carry out plant configuration investigations to identify potential deficiencies. 
Review current chemical addition practices with reference to organisational procedures to identify potential deficiencies. 
Investigate dosing options for current chemicals. 
Identify and investigate new or additional chemicals and related dosing options. 
Determine plant configuration or chemical options for process optimisation. 
Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options. 
Compile report with recommendations on optimisation options. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP409A - Investigate and plan to optimise the operation of chemical addition 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

NWP409A - Investigate and plan to optimise the operation of chemical addition 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: