DEFCA325 - Prepare and operate a field water point

DEFCA325
Prepare and operate a field water point

This unit covers the competency required to locate suitable water sources, such as bores, canals, dams, existing piped supplies, lakes, oceans, rivers, or springs, select a suitable work site, operate and maintain a field waterpoint, and refurbish the site. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

Application

This competency was developed for combat engineer personnel required to locate suitable water sources, select suitable work sites, operate and maintain a field water point, and refurbish sites in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.

The individual will usually be engaged in this activity by leading a team and working autonomously.

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare and plan for water acquisition	1.1 Requirement is received, understood and confirmed with higher authority as necessary. 1.2 Resource availability and serviceability is identified and constraints are determined. 1.3 An analysis of the area is conducted from available data to identify potential water sources. 1.4 Site surveys, risk and environmental assessments are conducted. 1.5 Field water-point plan is developed in accordance with survey, water quality and quantity, resources, risks and environmental considerations. 1.6 Problems that cannot be resolved locally are referred to higher authority for resolution. 1.7 Competence of team members is confirmed and monitored. 1.8 Team is briefed in accordance with standard procedures. 1.9 Liaison with outside agencies is undertaken as required. 1.10 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the operation in accordance with standard procedures.
2. Construct a field water-point	2.1 Team is directed and supervised in accordance with plan. 2.2 Support from outside agencies is organised and directed. 2.3 Local utility assets are located and marked to prevent damage. 2.4 Routes in and out of waterpoints are established. 2.5 Structures are designed and constructed/established. 2.6 Technical advice is provided to the chain of command and/or support agencies. 2.7 All unexpected situations that require a quick and decisive response are recognised and responded to in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures.
3. Operate and maintain a field water-point	3.1 Potable water is produced, stored and distributed in accordance with standard procedures. 3.2 Waterpoint team is supervised. 3.3 All unexpected situations that require a response are recognised and responded to in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures. 3.4 Reports and data are provided to higher authority in accordance with standard procedures.
4 Refurbish site and finalise activity	4.1 Site is refurbished in accordance with environmental requirements. 4.2 Chemicals and waste are disposed of in accordance with environmental requirements and standard procedures. 4.3 Equipment, tools and materials are recovered, cleaned and maintained. 4.4 Equipment, tools and materials are either stored or redeployed to another site in accordance with standard procedures. 4.5 Documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

analyse instructions

command and control skills

conduct and quality assure water analysis

conduct risk assessment

conduct tactical and technical reconnaissance – waterpoint

design and prepare chemical storage

liaison skills

manage fuel/chemical spill containment

manage the storage of water

prepare and issue instructions and orders

provide advice

select and maintain routes

supervise the construction of improvised water towers

use MSDS

Required Knowledge

design and construction requirements of improvised water towers

environmental compliance certificate

environmental considerations:

chemical storage/MSDS

fuel/chemical spill containment

legal responsibilities

pathology report of water samples

relevant legislation and procedures in relation to environmental requirements

relevant WHS regulations/requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements

requirements of a technical reconnaissance of a waterpoint

water analysis and storage requirements

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to construct at least three types of field structures included in the Range Statement using a variety of materials and expedient construction methods. At least one above and one below ground structure should be constructed.

Assessment must also confirm the ability to:

interpret job instructions and plans, and layout a site

prepare materials and equipment for construction

apply appropriate expedient construction methods and procedures to the construction including accurate measuring and levelling

use standard processes to handle and place materials

complete the construction of field structures to the specified standard

work in a team and interactively communicate with others

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated under field conditions over a time frame that allows for constructing and maintaining a number of field structures utilising expedient construction methods and a variety of materials.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.Competency should be assessed in a field environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to:

construction materials relevant to the task

hand tools, power tools, plant and other equipment appropriate to the construction process

suitable training areas for construction.

Range Statement

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Site survey may include:	access access to local resources availability of storage collecting and testing water samples ease of distribution security of site site diagram site reference points water flow rates water quality volume of water (yield)
Field waterpoint may include:	access roads accommodation chemicals communications equipment drainage filling points fuel generator and lighting hardstanding pumps and pipes signage storage facilities testing facilities – field and laboratory (pathology) water desalination equipment water purification equipment
Standard procedures may include:	Australian Standards job guides, pamphlets and other publications manufacturers’ handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions material safety data sheets (MSDS) WHS regulations organisational policies and procedures relevant local government bylaws relevant state/territory or federal legislation or regulations water quality requirements written and verbal orders and job instructions
Local utility assets may include:	electricity gas pipelines water
Structures may include:	storage tanks water towers
Potable water is clear of:	bacterial levels that are within medical standards colour odour poisons plant algae PH in accordance with WHS standards salinity turbidity
Supervising a waterpoint team may include:	accurately recording relevant information calibrating, servicing, operating and maintaining water treatment and testing equipment collecting and testing water samples completing maintenance activities in accordance with standard procedures storing, handling and applying chemicals in accordance with WHS requirements and standard procedures
Documentation may include:	construction documentation distribution records environmental compliance equipment documentation maintenance records water testing records

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.