NWP232B
Operate water reticulation and distribution system

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to operate and adjust water reticulation and distribution system devices to meet organisational requirements.

Application

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff with responsibility for ensuring the practical delivery, monitoring and regulation of reticulated water distribution services.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Establish system constraints and prepare work site.

1.1 Determine system layout and operational problem areas.

1.2 Plan work required to operate and adjust water reticulation system according to legislative and organisational requirements.

1.3 Select and check equipment and personal protective equipment to meet safety requirements of task and site.

1.4 Identify and locate isolation valves and hydrants and follow standard organisational procedures for their operation.

2Monitor performance and usage of distribution system devices.

2.1 Identify fluctuations in supply, system changes, community demands and water quality complaints.

2.2 Collect and report data on system performance and usage according to organisational requirements.

3Regulate flow.

3.1 Inspect flow regulating systems and adjust to meet demand requirements.

3.2 Regulate and divert flows to facilitate repair or emergency activities.

4Regulate pressure.

4.1 Monitor and adjust pressure to meet optimum delivery.

4.2 Investigate pressure fluctuations and report according to legislative and organisational requirements.

4.3 Document and report reticulation and distribution information according to organisational procedures.

Required Skills

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

Required skills:

identify and respond to operational problems

collect data

produce reports and logs

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

use tools and machinery

follow plans, charts and instructions

perform work-related calculations

work effectively as part of a team

apply procedures and standards

communicate with employees and customers

use communication equipment

install and operate a stand pipe or fire plug

record water losses

give and receive instructions

communicate effectively with utilities and service bodies

identify system faults

identify hazards

use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace

implement remedial action to maintain supply.

Required knowledge:

impact of the principles of hydraulics on the operation of flows

system layout and performance

standard operating procedures

water hammer

water quality and disinfection requirements

environmental aspects of operation

electrical safety for disconnecting and changing meters and fittings

lock-out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

organisational communication systems

hazardous materials handling

landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards of operating water distribution systems

conditions for connection to live water mains

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on systems, site or plant

control systems.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the 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 operate reticulation and distribution systems by:

identifying conditions of system

preparing work site

monitoring system performance and usage

monitoring and diverting flow

monitoring and regulating pressure.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry 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.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. 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.


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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Add any 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.

Water reticulation system may include:

scours

chambers

hydrants

sluices

valves

main taps

fire services

service reservoirs.

Legislative and organisational requirements may include:

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations

codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material

documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs

relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements.

Equipment may include:

hand and power tools

lifting equipment

on- and off-road vehicles

portable pumps

communication equipment

disinfection and sampling equipment

gas detection equipment

rescue equipment

appropriate personal protective equipment.

Flow regulating systems will include operation of:

valving systems, such as:

sluice

gate

blade

non-return

electronic and manual controlling systems

service reservoirs.

Pressure fluctuations may be:

high

low

outside acceptable limits.


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Collection and distribution


Employability Skills

This unit of competency contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.