This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff involved with the operation of raw water systems, including the identification of water entitlements and delivery processes and the use of legislation relevant to field operators.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify and apply water entitlements.

1.1 Apply principles of allocation or sale of water to properties and landholders.

1.2 Apply changes to entitlement or allocation to properties and between properties to workplace practices where relevant.

1.3 Apply relevant sections of legislation relating to water distribution and delivery to workplace practices, including breach notification.

1.4 Identify relevant water products and services offered to customers, and customer contracts.

2Identify and apply principles of water supply networks and distribution systems.

2.1 Identify relevant type and structure of water supply networks and their interaction where relevant.

2.2 Identify design and operation of relevant components of water distribution system.

2.3 Identify and monitor principles of water flow and factors affecting water flow.

2.4 Identify and apply basic principles of regulating water efficiently through the water supply system.

3Record and monitor water use.

3.1 Monitor, report and measure water flows and volumes according to legislative and organisational requirements.

3.2 Identify and monitor balance of water entitlements.

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

Required skills:

follow relevant written policies and procedures

read meters and other measurement instruments

perform work-related calculations

work effectively as part of a team

complete estimates and record water use

operate a range of flow control devices

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

use personal protective equipment.

Required knowledge:

relevant sections of Water Acts and legislation

organisational operating procedures

property water allocation or entitlement policies

transferable water entitlement procedures

workplace system networks or distribution systems

depth and flow conversion charts.

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 toidentify and apply irrigation, and stock and domestic supply systems, measure water and report water usage including:

applying water allocation and entitlement principles and procedures

interpreting and applying relevant legislation, including identification and notification of breaches

calculating water flows and volumes

regulating water delivery according to legislative and organisational requirements.

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.

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.

Entitlement or allocation may include:

property water rights or leases

permanent or temporary transfers

allocations based on storage levels.

Legislation 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.

Type and structure of water reticulation system may include:

manual and automated channel systems

pipeline systems

rivers and streams

combination of these.

Components of water distribution system may include:

storages

channels

pipelines

tanks

control and regulating structures

supply points.

Operation of reticulation system is monitored and reported and may require:

interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and general public

visual observation

use of computerised monitoring systems

application of processes for identifying and reporting regulated water use and suspected breaches

implementation of reporting procedures that may also include procedures for implementation of by-laws, organisational policies and statutory requirements.

Measurement of water flows and volumes may be:

metered

estimated

calculated on past usage rates.

Collection and distribution

This unit of competency contains employability skills.