Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to prevent, assess and treat water problems in swimming pools and spas. It includes assessing water quality, treating water problems, and completing and documenting water-treatment activities.
The unit supports the work of those engaged in maintaining water quality in domestic, commercial and public swimming pools and spas. It applies to swimming pool and spa technicians.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
Elements and 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. | ||
1. | Prevent water problems. | 1.1. | Preventative measures |
1.2. | Preventative measures to maintain water quality are implemented and monitored. | ||
2. | Assess water quality. | 2.1. | Water quality parameters are identified. |
2.2. | Samples to be collected to determine water quality are identified. | ||
2.3. | Equipment required to sample and test water is identified and sourced. | ||
2.4. | Equipment is checked for availability and serviceability. | ||
2.5. | Water quality | ||
2.6. | Samples for external analysis are prepared, packaged and sent to laboratory. | ||
2.7. | Testing equipment is cleaned, checked and stored. | ||
2.8. | Test results are obtained and reviewed to determine appropriate water treatment. | ||
3. | Treat water problems. | 3.1. | Water problems are identified and reported in line with regulatory and enterprise requirements. |
3.2. | Established treatment methods are used to address water problems in line with work health and safety (WHS), regulatory and enterprise requirements. | ||
3.3. | Unexpected situations are dealt with safely. | ||
3.4. | Measures for responding to water contamination are implemented. | ||
3.5. | Effectiveness of water treatment is monitored. | ||
4. | Complete and document water treatment activities. | 4.1. | Treated swimming pool or spa is reinstated to operational condition. |
4.2. | Work area is restored to original condition and checked for safety hazards, waste is disposed of, and tools and equipment are cleaned and stored in line with WHS and enterprise requirements. | ||
4.3. | Malfunctions, faults, wear or damage to swimming pool or spa are reported in line with enterprise procedures. | ||
4.4. | Notification of work completion is made in line with enterprise procedures. | ||
4.5. | Relevant documentation is completed and securely maintained. | ||
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.
The person must also demonstrate safe procedures when identifying and treating five different water problems in four different swimming pools and one spa.
In doing the above, the person must:
sample and test or arrange for laboratory testing of water samples from the above swimming pools and spa
identify and implement treatment processes for identified water problems
comply with safety requirements when sampling, testing and treating water in swimming pools and spas
report on outcomes of testing and treating swimming pool and spa water.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
chemical dosing: chemicals, procedures and benefits
common swimming pool and spa water problems:
algae
bather discomfort
biofilm
cloudy water
combined chlorine
disinfectant by-products
discoloured water
faecal accident/incident
foaming
metal fixture corroding
nitrates
phosphates
recreational water illnesses
sanitisation problems
scale
scum line
stains
water balance problems
commonwealth, state or territory legislation, and local government regulations, and Australian standards impacting on identifying and treating water problems in swimming pools and spas relating to:
chemicals
dangerous goods
environmental protection
environmental health
work health and safety
waste disposal
contamination response:
environmental
faecal
non-faecal
other
disinfection:
chlorine chemistry
disinfectants
principles
health effects of contaminated water in swimming pools and spas:
faecal-related illnesses
faecal incident response
recreational water illnesses
pool water contamination:
bacteria
protozoa
virus
preventative measures for minimising water problems in swimming pools and spas
testing:
for:
calcium hardness
chlorine demand
cyanuric acid
disinfection
hydrogen peroxide
metals
nitrates
non-halogen oxidisers
oxidation
oxidation reduction potential
pH
polyhexanide (PHMB)
phosphates
salt
temperature
total alkalinity
total dissolved solids
water balance
frequency
methods:
colorimetric
electronic
titrimetric
turbidimetric
procedures
sampling
test kit care and contents
treatments for swimming pool and spa water problems:
algaecides
breakpoint chlorination
chemical disinfection
chlorination
corrosion prevention
discoloured water
filtration
oxidation
ozone
shock dosing
spa water treatment:
reasons for treatment techniques
treatment techniques: change spa water, determine and correct pH level, sanitise the spa, and determine and correct total alkalinity
superchlorination
ultraviolet (UV) systems
water replacement
water balancing:
adjusted alkalinity
balance factors
calcium hardness
pH
principles
saturation index
temperature
testing
total alkalinity
total dissolved salts
water quality parameters.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
personal protective equipment (PPE)
swimming pool and spa water testing equipment
materials:
swimming pool and spa chemicals
specifications:
water quality parameters for swimming pools and spas
safety data sheets (SDS) and manufacturer instructions for swimming pool and spa chemicals
physical conditions:
assessment activities are performed in the context of servicing a domestic, commercial or public swimming pool and spa.
Assessment activities are performed on an individual basis under general supervision.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Learning skills to: | maintain up-to-date knowledge of causes of water problems in swimming pools and spas, and treatment techniques. |
Numeracy skills to: | perform calculations required to prepare chemicals for water treatment. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to determine correct use of swimming pool and spa chemicals. |
Reading skills to: | access information in safety data sheets (SDS) for swimming pool and spa chemicals. |
Technology skills to: | use electronic swimming pool and spa water testing equipment. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Preventative measures | bather education and compliance with hygiene and usage rules operator training water quality monitoring, inspection of premises, and daily record keeping water treatment. |
Water quality parameters must include: | commercial swimming pools and spas domestic swimming pools and spas public swimming pools and spas. |
Tests must include: | colorimetric electronic titrimetric turbidimetric. |
Water problems | algae bather discomfort: eye irritation skin irritation cloudy water discoloured water: green or blue-green water red-brown water disinfectant by-products faecal accident/incident foaming metal fixture corroding microorganisms: bacterial pathogens protozoan pathogens viral pathogens yeast and fungal pathogens sanitisation problems scale scum line stains water balance problems: calcium hardness pH total alkalinity. |
Sectors
Swimming pools and spas