NWP509A
Collect, verify and report hydrometric time series data

This unit describes the competencies required to compile, analyse and verify data and produce hydrometric data reports to support organisational decision making. An understanding of the processes required to collect data accurately, interpret data, verify data and produce clear reports that conform to organisational standards are essential to performance.

Application

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for assistant hydrographers, field hydrologists and water operators responsible for reporting water quality, volume and flow in water systems.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for collection of data.

1.1 Identify parameters and procedures for collection of hydrometric data.

1.2 Identify client's data and reporting requirements.

2Retrieve time series data.

2.1 Retrieve and manage data according to organisational procedures.

2.2 Reset data logger according to procedures.

2.3 Apply field verification checks and complete field documentation.

3Verify hydrometric data.

3.1 Select data to be verified.

3.2 Archive raw data.

3.3 Prepare working copy of data.

3.4 Review verification information to determine trends and identify proposed adjustments to data.

3.5 Use historical data, nearby sites and related parameters to validate data to identify data irregularities and ensure data integrity.

3.6 Use standard processes and software and mathematical and scientific techniques to check, edit, verify, adjust and qualify data.

3.7 Estimate failed periods required by client.

3.8 Document checks and adjustments.

4Prepare reports.

4.1 Prepare standard reports to check integrity of verified data.

4.2 Prepare client specific reports.

4.3 Prepare verified data, documentation and reports for authorisation.

4.4 File authorised information according to organisation procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills:

communicate technical information and use communication technology with colleagues, management and clients

assess the performance and limitations of the monitoring systems and sites employed in monitoring the network/catchment

identify and assess the characteristics of hydrographs and pluviometer traces

apply analytical tools for hydrometric data

interpret and apply technical documentation to the collection, analysis and reporting of hydrometric data

identify and respond effectively to operational problems

use information and data management computer systems

Required knowledge:

the hydrometric cycle and its impact on the conditions and objectives of hydrometric time series data management

measurement methods for collection and checking continuous hydrometric data in the field

continuous data verification techniques

mathematical and scientific techniques relevant to the analysis of hydrometric data

computer software relevant to the analysis and archiving of hydrographic data

water sampling and testing procedures

policies and standard operating procedures for data analysis

Evidence Required

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 compile, analyse and verify data and produce hydrometric data reports to support organisational decision making including:

gathering, interpreting complex documentation and applying it to the specification of hydrographic data collection and reporting procedures

collecting samples accurately

analysing and verifying data using standard procedures, software and databases

preparing clear and accurate reports

storing and archiving data

identifying, reporting and resolving potential and actual problems

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

workplace specific equipment and technology

supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports

enterprise operating procedures and work allocation

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 require 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 should only be made 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

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.


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. 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.

Hydrometric data will include:

water level (streams, lakes)

rainfall

groundwater

soil moisture

evaporation

radiation

wind

temperature

EC

Field verification checks will include:

staff gauge reading

well tape check

survey level

peak level indicators

flood marks

rainfall storage and/or calibration check

EC in-situ meter reading

groundwater down the casing tape check

Verification information may include:

station visit information

operator comments

photographs

embedded comments

secondary checks

stage:

staff gauge

peak level indicator

flood mark, surveyed water level

tape over orifice

rainfall collected storage

EC in-situ readings

laboratory analyses

related traces - comparison with nearby sites, comparison of variables:

stage v rain

stage/EC

EC v water temperature

Data irregularities will include:

characteristics of continuous traces

recorder and site:

velocity past inlet or orifice

datum changes

interference and vandalism

inadequate recording (log) interval

clock irregularities and stoppages

control:

debris on control

siltation (of stilling pool)

wind

stepping

weir aeration

control interference

tailwater

leakage

floatwell systems:

lag (ratio of well to inlet diameter)

leaking well

groundwater inflow to well

inlet blockages

float catching

float line faults

friction in float system

siltation (of inlets)

gas purge systems:

gas leak

gas expiry

lag (bubble rate)

orifice stability (datum)

siltation (of orifice)

pluviometer:

interference and vandalism (extraneous fluid poured into gauge)

equipment faults - double counts

missed counts

storage discrepancy

Data integrity will include:

parameter relationships:

stage vs stage

flow vs flow

rain vs rain

rain vs stage

stage vs water quality

stage:

stage / stage (HYPLOTXY) or flow / flow correlation plots

double mass curves (HYMASS)

pluviometer:

HYPLOTXY correlation plots

double mass curves

Standard processes and software may include:

standards relevant to the monitoring network including:

AS 3778 for water measurement installations

WMO / Bureau of Meteorology guidelines for siting of meteorological sensors and systems

best practice methodology where standards are not available or applicable

software for logical control device programming (maybe system specific or generic software) to automate control, sampling and alarming processes

water data base management software for triggering alarms, notifications, advice to relevant authorities and management for actions

procedures for data logging:

programming

interrogation

data downloading

data security

procedures for data processing, storage and presentation:

conversion of raw logger file data to channel data in date/time/value format

deletion/inclusion/correction

quality codes/comments

check

archive

storing ancillary data

pluviographs

hyetographs

hydrographs

rating curves

tables

procedures for the measurement of surface slopes and flood slopes

procedures for the development, maintenance and extension of rating curves

computation of flow from stage data and rating curves

software:

Kisters - Hydstra

Scientific Software Group - AquaChem,

Microsoft - Excel

web-based development tools for presentation and reporting of data

Mathematical and scientific techniques may include:

logarithmic transformation

conversion of units

graphical analysis

gauging calculations

calculation of loads and yields

Estimated failed periods will include:

verification information

historical data

nearby sites and related parameters

copy and paste

applying peak stage level or total stored rainfall checks

estimation using standard processes and software

Standard reports may include:

daily (HYDAY (stage, max and mean flow rate and flow total, rain

monthly (HYMONTH) - transposes (max/min)

annual (HYANN)

Client specific reports may include:

flow duration HYFLOW

recurrence intervals (Flow: HYLP3 - requires Peak Series to be updated)

runoff ratio

rainfall intensities

web-based presentation tools


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Hydrography.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.