This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for operational staff with a specific responsibility for ensuring that coagulation and flocculation processes in water treatment plants conform to organisational standards and comply with statutory requirements.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Monitor coagulation and flocculation plant performance.

1.1 Monitor test results and processes to ensure compliance with the parameters of the operation.

1.2 Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of plant according to organisational and statutory requirements.

2Control chemical use.

2.1 Use, handle and store chemicals according to organisational procedures and statutory requirements.

2.2 Determine and apply chemical dosing according to plant processes, organisational procedures and statutory requirements.

2.3 Maintain chemical supply and usage records according to statutory requirements.

3Operate and control coagulation and flocculation processes.

3.1 Carry out routine plant inspections according to organisational and plant requirements.

3.2 Collect process samples and conduct standard tests.

3.3 Carry out system adjustments and process calculations to improve system performance according to organisational procedures and statutory requirements.

4Compile coagulation and flocculation process records.

4.1 Compile reports from plant and system data to meet organisational procedures and statutory requirements.

4.2 Report observations outside defined parameters for further action.

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

Required skills:

identify and correct operational and control system problems

take samples and perform tests

produce logs and reports

perform process calculations

prepare and apply chemical dosing

interpret plans, charts and instructions

interpret policies, procedures and standards

give and receive instructions

operate control and communication systems

use safety and personal protective equipment

communicate with employees and customers.

Required knowledge:

process layout

features and components of coagulation and flocculation systems

theory of process operations

chemicals used for coagulation and flocculation

chemical dosing processes

risk factors and potential hazards related to coagulation and flocculation systems

risk control requirements including safety equipment and material safety data sheets

lockout procedures for mechanical and electrical installations and hydraulic isolation

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

operation of pumping and valving systems

control and communications systems

policies, procedures and relevant legislation

water testing procedures

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant

pumping and valving systems

procedures for storing and handling dangerous goods and chemicals

interpretation of material safety data sheets

chemical and biological principles that form the basis of coagulation and flocculation processes.

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 monitor, operate and control coagulation and flocculation processes, including:

conducting routine plant inspections, taking samples and performing basic tests

preparing and applying chemical dosing according to instructions

identifying and reporting system faults

making basic system adjustments according to instructions

completing required documentation.

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/or 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting 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 if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Processes may include:

chemical addition

flash mixing

flocculation.

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

by-laws and organisational policies

standard operating procedures

environment protection

occupational health and safety, including use of personal protective equipment

chemicals

dangerous goods

lifts and cranes

World Health Organisation standards

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

National Water Quality Management strategy

Environment Protection Authority regulations

licensing agreements

electrical standards.

Chemicals may include:

aluminium and iron based coagulants

synthetic organic polymers

pH adjusting chemicals such as lime, soda ash, caustic soda.

Routine plant inspections may require:

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

visual observation

identification of corrosion damage

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

use of equipment, including:

electronic monitoring and metering systems

manual chart recording systems

basic hand tools

sampling and laboratory testing equipment

computerised equipment

communication equipment

personal protective equipment.

Tests may include:

flocculation growth

flocculation time

mixing time

mixing energy

pH

colour

turbidity

routine jar tests

residual aluminium or iron.

System adjustments may include:

pH correction

chemical dosing.

Process calculations may include:

preparation of dosing solutions

jar test dosages

dry and liquid chemical feed rates

mixing intensity.

Reports may include:

plant performance data

chemical usage.

Treatment

This unit of competency contains employability skills.