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

NWPTRT032 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Assess and improve sedimentation processes

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWPTRT032 - Assess and improve sedimentation processes
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills required to evaluate system performance and investigate and report on the optimisation of sedimentation and clarification processes.This unit applies to those working as technical staff with responsibility for optimising sedimentation and clarification processes in water and wastewater treatment plants. This role may be performed as a single operator, or as part of a team with some responsibility for team coordination and supervision, depending on the size of the treatment plant.The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.Those undertaking this unit would work under indirect supervision, while performing complex tasks, within a familiar context.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace, the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Prerequisites/co-requisites
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: Assess sedimentation and clarification process performance
  • Review existing process performance data.
  • Identify the impact of changing incoming water quality on sedimentation and clarification processes in a range of conditions.
  • Identify any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.
       
Element: Investigate sedimentation and clarification assets
  • Review existing fault reports and other plant asset information.
  • Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.
  • Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies.
       
Element: Investigate process optimisation
  • Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.
  • Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.
       
Element: Plan process optimisation
  • Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.
  • Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.
  • Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options.
       
Element: Assess sedimentation and clarification process performance
  • Review existing process performance data.
  • Identify the impact of changing incoming water quality on sedimentation and clarification processes in a range of conditions.
  • Identify any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.
       
Element: Investigate sedimentation and clarification assets
  • Review existing fault reports and other plant asset information.
  • Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.
  • Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies.
       
Element: Investigate process optimisation
  • Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.
  • Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.
       
Element: Plan process optimisation
  • Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.
  • Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.
  • Compile a report making 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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Assess sedimentation and clarification process performance

1.1 Review existing process performance data.

1.2 Identify the impact of changing incoming water quality on sedimentation and clarification processes in a range of conditions.

1.3 Identify any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.

2. Investigate sedimentation and clarification assets

2.1 Review existing fault reports and other plant asset information.

2.2 Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.

2.3 Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies.

3. Investigate process optimisation

3.1 Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.

3.2 Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.

4. Plan process optimisation

4.1 Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.

4.2 Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.

4.3 Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

conducting investigations and reporting on operational or control system problems

coordinating sedimentation and clarification inspection, sampling and testing

performing calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions, including at least one of:

surface loading rate

upflow velocity

detention time

weir loading rate

interpreting a range of complex and technical documents, including at least one of:

regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

articulating complex ideas

analysing problems and recommending appropriate remedial solutions

identifying risks and hazards

reviewing existing sedimentation and clarification process performance with reference to historical data, differences in incoming 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 sedimentation and clarification plant components

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the determined sedimentation and clarification optimisation options and compiling recommendation reports

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

principles that form the basis of sedimentation and clarification processes

types of sedimentation and clarification processes

re-establishing sludge blankets

polymers and weighting agents

principles of sedimentation and clarification system maintenance

system layout

pumping and valving systems

range of appropriate measuring and testing procedures

investigation procedures

risk management principles relating to sedimentation and clarification systems

chemical dosing processes


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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Assess sedimentation and clarification process performance

1.1 Review existing process performance data.

1.2 Identify the impact of changing incoming water quality on sedimentation and clarification processes in a range of conditions.

1.3 Identify any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.

2. Investigate sedimentation and clarification assets

2.1 Review existing fault reports and other plant asset information.

2.2 Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.

2.3 Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies.

3. Investigate process optimisation

3.1 Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.

3.2 Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.

4. Plan process optimisation

4.1 Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.

4.2 Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.

4.3 Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options.

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. 
Identify the impact of changing incoming water quality on sedimentation and clarification processes in a range of conditions. 
Identify any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance. 
Review existing fault reports and other plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications. 
Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies. 
Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken. 
Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies. 
Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation. 
Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options. 
Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options. 
Review existing process performance data. 
Identify the impact of changing incoming water quality on sedimentation and clarification processes in a range of conditions. 
Identify any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance. 
Review existing fault reports and other plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications. 
Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies. 
Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken. 
Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies. 
Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation. 
Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options. 
Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWPTRT032 - Assess and improve sedimentation 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

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

NWPTRT032 - Assess and improve sedimentation 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:

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