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

NWPTRT051 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Assess and improve treatment for pathogen removal

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWPTRT051 - Assess and improve treatment for pathogen removal
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills required to identify microorganisms and assess the appropriate drinking water or water re-use treatment processes for inactivation or removal.This unit applies to those working as water treatment operators responsible for water quality in a range of technical and process applications in water and wastewater treatment.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 autonomously performing sophisticated tasks in 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 should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Some components of this unit require assessment in a workplace environment therefore the unit is not suitable for fully external or electronic based assessment.

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.

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 performance of processes to remove microorganisms
  • Review existing process performance data.
  • Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.
  • Identify the impact of raw water quality on water treatment effectiveness for microorganism removal.
  • Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.
  • Investigate the operational status of plant components.
  • Investigate the cause of treated water quality issues relating to microorganisms.
  • Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies for microorganism removal.
       
Element: Improve process performance for removal of microorganisms
  • Identify treatment process conditions for optimising microorganism removal.
  • Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.
  • Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.
       
Element: Report on system performance and improvement
  • Report on the current operational status of the water treatment process.
  • Report on effective treatment processes and associated sampling and testing procedures to maintain water quality.
  • Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options.
       
Element: Assess performance of processes to remove microorganisms
  • Review existing process performance data.
  • Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.
  • Identify the impact of raw water quality on water treatment effectiveness for microorganism removal.
  • Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.
  • Investigate the operational status of plant components.
  • Investigate the cause of treated water quality issues relating to microorganisms.
  • Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies for microorganism removal.
       
Element: Improve process performance for removal of microorganisms
  • Identify treatment process conditions for optimising microorganism removal.
  • Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.
  • Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.
       
Element: Report on system performance and improvement
  • Report on the current operational status of the water treatment process.
  • Report on effective treatment processes and associated sampling and testing procedures to maintain water quality.
  • 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 performance of processes to remove microorganisms

1.1 Review existing process performance data.

1.2 Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.

1.3 Identify the impact of raw water quality on water treatment effectiveness for microorganism removal.

1.4 Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.

1.5 Investigate the operational status of plant components.

1.6 Investigate the cause of treated water quality issues relating to microorganisms.

1.7 Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies for microorganism removal.

2. Improve process performance for removal of microorganisms

2.1 Identify treatment process conditions for optimising microorganism removal.

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

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

3. Report on system performance and improvement

3.1 Report on the current operational status of the water treatment process.

3.2 Report on effective treatment processes and associated sampling and testing procedures to maintain water quality.

3.3 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. Candidate must be assessed operating at least one of the processes, treating at least one of the problems, listed in Range of Conditions. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

identifying a range of waterborne microorganisms

analysing general characteristics caused by waterborne microorganisms, including at least one of:

pathogenicity

virulence

resistance to disinfectants

opportunistic infection capability

analysing types of problems caused by waterborne microorganisms, including at least one of:

nuisance problems

taste and odour

filter clogging

colour

corrosion

toxicity problems

pathogenic problems

identifying pathogenic microorganisms and the diseases they cause, including at least one of:

viruses

bacteria

protozoa

algae

cyanobacteria

helminths

assessing and selecting water or re-use treatment processes for physically removing or deactivating pathogenic microorganisms, including at least one of:

filtration

slow sand filter

granular media filters

membrane filters

disinfection:

chlorination

chloramination

UV

chlorine dioxide

ozone

assessing causes of nuisance and toxicity problems, including at least one of:

micro types:

diatoms

sulphur bacteria

cyanobacteria:

Microcystis aeruginosa

Anabaena circinalis

pathogenic microorganisms:

viruses

enterovirus

hepatitis A

hepatitis E

rotavirus

bacteria:

Campylobacter

Salmonella

Escherichia coli

protozoa species:

Giardia

cryptosporidium

Nagleria

helminths, including Ascaris lumbricoides

selecting pre- or post-treatment processes for removing the causes of nuisance and toxicity problems, including at least one of:

micro-straining

algicides

activated carbon

ozone-biologically activated carbon (BAC)

preparing reports on the optimum treatment for a range of microorganisms, including measures to ensure validity

preparing and applying chemical dosing as required

assessing process performance

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

identifying data deficiencies and additional data collection through sampling and testing

assessing fault reports and investigating current operational status of processes for microorganism removal

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the treatment optimisation options for microorganism removal

preparing recommendation reports

applying calculations to determine log removal values for physical barriers and contact time for disinfection

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.

types, lifecycle, characteristics of waterborne microorganisms, including:

evolutionary development

source

structure

life cycle

growth rates and requirements

nuisance problems caused by waterborne microorganisms

toxicity and pathogenic problems caused by waterborne microorganisms, including:

typhoid

cholera

ascariasis

hepatitis

giardiasis

cryptosporidiosis

gastroenteritis

tuberculosis

relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures relating directly to the control and treatment of waterborne microorganisms

principles of water or re-use treatment processes

log removal value concept for physical barriers

Ct concept for disinfection

properties and modes of action of disinfectants

properties and modes of action for physical barriers

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 performance of processes to remove microorganisms

1.1 Review existing process performance data.

1.2 Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.

1.3 Identify the impact of raw water quality on water treatment effectiveness for microorganism removal.

1.4 Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.

1.5 Investigate the operational status of plant components.

1.6 Investigate the cause of treated water quality issues relating to microorganisms.

1.7 Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies for microorganism removal.

2. Improve process performance for removal of microorganisms

2.1 Identify treatment process conditions for optimising microorganism removal.

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

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

3. Report on system performance and improvement

3.1 Report on the current operational status of the water treatment process.

3.2 Report on effective treatment processes and associated sampling and testing procedures to maintain water quality.

3.3 Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options.

Treatment processes include:

source water management

pre-treatment processes to address problems associated with waterborne microorganisms

physical treatment processes to remove waterborne microorganisms

disinfection processes to kill or deactivate waterborne microorganisms

Associated problems with microorganisms include:

algal toxins

taste and odour compounds

disinfection by-products

regrowth, nitrification & disinfection failure

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. 
Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications. 
Identify the impact of raw water quality on water treatment effectiveness for microorganism removal. 
Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components. 
Investigate the cause of treated water quality issues relating to microorganisms. 
Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies for microorganism removal. 
Identify treatment process conditions for optimising microorganism removal. 
Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation. 
Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options. 
Report on the current operational status of the water treatment process. 
Report on effective treatment processes and associated sampling and testing procedures to maintain water quality. 
Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options. 
Review existing process performance data. 
Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications. 
Identify the impact of raw water quality on water treatment effectiveness for microorganism removal. 
Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components. 
Investigate the cause of treated water quality issues relating to microorganisms. 
Assess the effectiveness of process control strategies for microorganism removal. 
Identify treatment process conditions for optimising microorganism removal. 
Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation. 
Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options. 
Report on the current operational status of the water treatment process. 
Report on effective treatment processes and associated sampling and testing procedures to maintain water quality. 
Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWPTRT051 - Assess and improve treatment for pathogen removal
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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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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Assessment Record Sheet

NWPTRT051 - Assess and improve treatment for pathogen removal

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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