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

NWP414A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Select strategies to control microbial impact on wastewater treatment processes

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWP414A - Select strategies to control microbial impact on wastewater treatment processes
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to identify wastewater microorganisms and select appropriate measures to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit is relevant to senior wastewater treatment operational specialists.
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: Investigate wastewater micro-organisms.
  • Identify a range of typical wastewater microorganisms.
  • Identify the general characteristics of different types of microorganisms.
  • Identify wastewater characteristics which impact on micro-organism growth.
  • Identify the problems caused by microorganisms in specific wastewater treatment processes.
       
Element: Select strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
  • Investigate the cause of effluent quality issues with reference to organisational and legislative requirements
  • Investigate the operational status of the wastewater treatment process with reference to manufacturers' or plant designers' specifications.
  • Assess the effectiveness of various process control strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms and select the most appropriate method.
       
Element: Identify and report on appropriate process controls.
  • Identify treatment process conditions for optimising the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
  • Report on appropriate treatment processes and associated sampling and testing requirements.
       


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 identify wastewater microorganisms and select appropriate measures to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms including:

identifying a range of wastewater microorganisms, and their general characteristics and types of problems caused

identifying effluent quality and select process control strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms

prepare reports outlining the optimum treatment for various microorganisms including measures to ensure validity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources, including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water treatment 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 undertaken in a manner 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:

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

regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

communicate effectively with a range of relevant parties

articulate complex ideas clearly

analyse and evaluate reports and reference materials

work collaboratively with stakeholders and team members

analyse problems and apply appropriate remedial solutions

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

identify hazards and develop appropriate responses to control and mitigate risks in accordance with regulations and legislation

participate in the provision of appropriate information to inform workplace processes

apply capabilities and limitations of plant, equipment and tools

manage work priorities

use information effectively to improve work performance.

Required knowledge:

types, lifecycle, characteristics of wastewater microorganisms

operational problems caused by wastewater microorganisms

effluent quality problems caused by wastewater microorganisms

relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures

principles of wastewater treatment processes

process control strategies

properties and mode of action of chemical additives.

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.

Wastewater microorganisms may include:

fungi

bacteria:

aerobic

anaerobic

facultative

autotrophs

heterotrophs

filament and foam causing

protozoa

amoebae

ciliates

flagellates

metazoa

algae

cyanobacteria

helminths.

General characteristics of microorganisms may include:

evolutionary development

source

structure

life cycle

growth rates and requirements.

Wastewater characteristics may include:

presence of inhibitory substances, such as heavy metals, synthetic organics

nutrients - macro and micro

temperature

dissolved oxygen

organic loading

pH.

Problems caused by microorganisms may include:

bulking

foaming

inefficient nitrogen or phosphorus removal

lack of nitrification

high effluent suspended solids or biological oxygen demand (BOD)

volatile solids reduction

volatile acids to alkalinity ratio

gas production rate - methane, carbon dioxide.

Organisational and legislative requirements may include:

organisational performance standards

standard operating procedures

quality assurance

federal, state and local environmental and water quality legislation.

Manufacturers' or plant designers' specifications may include:

Food:Microorganism (F:M) ratio

Mean Cell Residues Time (MCRT)

Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS)

phase timing in intermittent or batch processes

temperature

recirculation rates.

Process control strategies may include:

Food:Microorganism (F:M) ratio

Mean Cell Residues Time (MCRT)

Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS)

return and waste activated sludge rates

chemical and nutrient addition

pre-treatment to remove inhibitory or toxic substances

alkalinity and pH correction

mixed liquor recycle rates

phase timing in intermittent or batch processes

recirculation rates

addition of nutrients

temperature

pre-treatment to remove inhibitory or toxic substances

alkalinity and pH correction

chemical addition, such as:

chlorine

nutrients

aluminium and iron salts

flow or feed rate

mixing rate

sludge wastage rate.

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
Identify a range of typical wastewater microorganisms. 
Identify the general characteristics of different types of microorganisms. 
Identify wastewater characteristics which impact on micro-organism growth. 
Identify the problems caused by microorganisms in specific wastewater treatment processes. 
Investigate the cause of effluent quality issues with reference to organisational and legislative requirements 
Investigate the operational status of the wastewater treatment process with reference to manufacturers' or plant designers' specifications. 
Assess the effectiveness of various process control strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms and select the most appropriate method. 
Identify treatment process conditions for optimising the growth of beneficial microorganisms. 
Report on appropriate treatment processes and associated sampling and testing requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP414A - Select strategies to control microbial impact on 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

NWP414A - Select strategies to control microbial impact on 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: