This unit covers generic competency for water treatment operators responsible for water quality in a range of technical and process applications in water and wastewater treatment.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Investigate waterborne microorganisms.

1.1 Identify the samples of waterborne microorganisms found in water sources.

1.2 Identify the general characteristics of different types of microorganisms.

1.3 Identify water quality or treatment problems caused by microorganisms.

1.4 Identify microorganisms causing problems specific to water treatment processes.

1.5 Identify the characteristics of, and diseases caused by, pathogenic microorganisms.

2Identify processes to remove microorganisms.

2.1 Assess the effectiveness of a range of filtration processes for physically removing pathogenic microorganisms according to organisational and legislative requirements.

2.2 Assess the effectiveness of a range of disinfection processes for inactivating pathogenic microorganisms according to organisational and legislative requirements.

2.3 Identify and assess the implications of by-product formation resulting from disinfection processes.

2.4 Assess the effectiveness of various pre- or post-treatment processes for removing microorganisms, or their metabolites, causing nuisance and toxicity problem.

3Determine appropriate water treatment processes.

3.1 Identify optimum treatment processes for the range of microorganisms found in water sources.

3.2 Report on effective treatment processes and associated sampling and testing requirements required to maintain water quality.

Required skills:

interpret a range of complex and technical documents, including relevant:

regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

communicate effectively with a range of relevant parties using clear and direct communication to identify and confirm requirements

articulate complex ideas clearly

produce reports on treatment requirements for management

analyse and evaluate reports and reference materials

work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders

analyse problems and apply appropriate remedial solutions

perform various calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions

identify hazards and develop appropriate responses to control and mitigate risks in accordance with regulations and legislation

identify opportunities for improved water management

participate in the provision of appropriate information to inform workplace processes

understand capabilities and limitations of plant, equipment and tools

manage work priorities

use information effectively to improve work performance.

Required knowledge:

organisational and legislative requirements relevant to water quality and treatment

types, lifecycle, characteristics of waterborne microorganisms

nuisance problems caused by waterborne microorganisms

toxicity and pathogenic problems caused by waterborne microorganisms

relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures related directly to the control and treatment of waterborne microorganisms

principles of water or reuse treatment processes

Ct concept

log reduction

properties and modes of action of disinfectants.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, 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 identify microorganisms and assess the appropriate potable water or water reuse treatment processes for inactivation or removal including:

identifying a range of waterborne microorganisms,

analysing their general characteristics and the types of problems caused

identifying pathogenic microorganisms and the diseases caused

assessing and selecting water or reuse treatment processes for physically removing or inactivating pathogenic microorganisms, including disinfection by-product issues

assessing and selecting pre- or post-treatment processes for removing the causes of nuisance and toxicity problems

preparing reports on the optimum treatment for a range of microorganisms including measures to ensure validity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources, including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water treatment 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. 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) may also be included.

Waterborne microorganisms may include:

viruses

bacteria

protozoa

algae

cyanobacteria

helminths.

General characteristics of microorganisms may include:

evolutionary development

source

structure

life cycle

growth rates and requirements.

Water quality or treatment problems may include:

nuisance problems

taste and odour

filter clogging

colour

corrosion

toxicity problems

pathogenic problems.

Microorganisms causing problems may include:

diatoms

sulphur bacteria

cyanobacteria including:

Microcystis aeruginosa

Anabaena circinalis

Pathogenic microorganisms including:

viruses:

Enterovirus,

Hepatitis A,

Hepatitis E,

Rotavirus

bacteria:

Campyllobacter

Salmonella

Escherichia coli

protozoa species:

Giardia

Cryptosporidium

Nagleria

Helminths such as Ascaris lumbricoides.

Characteristics of pathogenic microorganisms may include:

pathogenicity

virulence

resistance to disinfectants (Ct, log reduction)

opportunistic infection capability.

Diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms may include:

typhoid

cholera

ascariasis

hepatitis

giardiasis

cryptosporidiosis

gastroenteritis

tuberculosis.

Filtration processes may include:

slow sand filter

granular media filters

membrane filters.

Organisational and legislative requirements may include:

federal, state and local environmental and water quality legislation and guidelines

organisational policies

standard operating procedures

communication and reporting protocols

quality assurance.

Disinfection processes may include:

chlorination

chloramination

UV

chlorine dioxide

ozone.

Pre- or post-treatment processes may include:

micro-straining

algicides

activated carbon

ozone-biologically activated carbon (BAC).

Treatment

This unit contains employability skills.