ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Operate wastewater treatment processes.

1.1 Identify reasonsand requirements for treatment of wastewater.

1.2 Identify major components of wastewater treatment processes.

1.3 Identify and apply practices undertaken in wastewater treatment processes.

1.4 Operate mechanicalequipment used in wastewater treatment according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements.

1.5 Handle, use, store and dose chemicals according to relevant legislation and organisational procedures.

2Maintain items of equipment used in wastewater treatment processes.

2.1 Identify maintenance requirements and schedules according to standard operating procedures.

2.2 Meet maintenance and cleaning requirements of equipment.

3Follow safety requirements for work in a wastewater treatment plant.

3.1 Identify and record hazards of working in a wastewater treatment plant.

3.2 Identify and record operational requirements for safe and effective use of equipment.

3.3 Select, fit and use safety equipment, including personal protective equipment.

3.4 Identify and apply safe work practices when handling chemicals and working in a wastewater treatment plant.

4Record wastewater treatment plant data.

4.1 Complete records required for effective operation of a wastewater treatment plant.

4.2 Identify, record and report range of data routinely collected.

4.3 Identify data that falls outside normal operating parameters and report for further action.

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

Required skills:

recognise and report operational problems

apply policies, procedures and standards

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

collect and test samples

interpret material safety data sheets (MSDS)

receive and apply instructions

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

communicate with other employees and people that interact within the work environment

Required knowledge:

sources and characteristics of wastewater

physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics and basic principles related to wastewater treatment

reasons for wastewater treatment

types of wastewater treatment plants and processes

major chemical types and equipment used

wastewater treatment plant hazards

safety equipment

reasons for data and information collection

MSDS

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 tooperate and maintain wastewater treatment processes within domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants in urban and rural areas including:

applying wastewater treatment processes, including operating mechanical equipment

using chemicals safely, as required and according to organisational procedures

conducting regular routine inspection of mechanical equipment

identifying hazards and applying appropriate safety procedures

gathering and recording data

reporting anomalies

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.

Reasons and requirements for treatment may include:

ensuring conformity with legislation, standards and guidelines

removing impurities and contaminants to enable discharge and re-use

reducing impact of impurities on environment and public health

relevant environmental protection legislation and regulations and trade waste agreements

Wastewater treatment processes may include:

grit removal

aeration

screening

sedimentation

disinfection

granular and membrane filtration

thickening and dewatering

anoxic processes

sludge digestion

suspended and fixed media aerobic bioreactor processes

anaerobic processes

lagoons and wetlands

gas scrubbers

biosolids and effluent disposal and re-use

dilution

chemical dosing

nutrient removal

reverse osmosis

Mechanical equipment used may include:

pumps, including:

centrifugal

positive displacement

airlift

blowers

screens

control valves

electronic digital monitoring systems

recording systems

chemical testing and analysis equipment

communication equipment

manual and hydraulic equipment

personal protective equipment

Chemicals and aids used may include:

lime

sodium hypochlorite

polymers

aluminium and iron coagulants

carbon sources