• NWP516B - Implement and manage surface water management plan

NWP516B
Implement and manage surface water management plan

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required for the implementation of the management plan for surface water to ensure environmental considerations are met and source of supply is maintained.

Application

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for managers in water organisations with responsibility for the management of surface water resources.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Implement and coordinate monitoring and testing program.

1.1 Confirm performance measures of the surface water management plan.

1.2 Design and implement monitoring and testing programs.

1.3 Coordinate activities relating to the surface water plan.

1.4 Interpret and record test results and education programs.

1.5 Identify and investigate current and/or potential problems and report results and recommendations.

1.6 Gather historical surface water information and evaluate.

1.7 Monitor water usage, water flow and water quality according to the plan.

2Monitor and evaluate performance of surface water management plans.

2.1 Identify, investigate and report deviations of planned water usage and quality and management plan procedures.

2.2 Review objectives of the management and implementation plans.

2.3 Review parameters for water usage and quality.

2.4 Monitor and review environmental factors that impact on surface water.

2.5 Make recommendations for changes to plan objectives and procedures and usage and quality parameters.

2.6 Provide advice and guidance to water users and stakeholders.

3Report on monitoring and implementation activities.

3.1 Identify and report deviations from the management plan.

3.2 Review and report objectives of the management and implementation plans.

3.3 Make recommendations for changes to plan objectives.

Required Skills

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

Required skills:

interpret and apply legislation and policies

coordinate measuring and testing activities

conduct investigations

assess environmental impacts

communicate effectively with stakeholders and users

make decisions based on the analysis of data

report clearly and effectively

Required knowledge:

relevant legislation

relevant enterprise policies

measuring and testing procedures

investigation procedures

risk management principles

customer expectations and requirements

climatic and weather characteristics and impacts

hydraulic analysis

Evidence Required

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 implement management plans for surface water to ensure environmental considerations are met and source of supply is maintained:

gathering, interpreting and synthesising information (including historical data, current legislation and standards, stakeholder views and water quantity and quality test results) to underpin the implementation of the surface water management plan

designing and implementing testing processes and programs

monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of the surface water management plan

providing advice about water usage and communicate with stakeholders and users

preparing reports and recommendations for future action

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 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. 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.

Surface water sources may include:

dams and reservoirs

weirs and rivers

lakes

creeks and streams

wetlands

off stream storage

catchment areas

storage tanks

Monitoring and testing programs may include:

resource yields

resource status

flow rates

testing procedures

testing medium

testing frequency

sampling locations

testing variables

land use changes

Historical surface water information may include:

hydrometrical information

previous monitoring studies

previous risk assessments

geological data

hydro-geological data

land use studies

environmental management studies

anecdotal information from land owners

Water usage, water flow and water quality may be influenced by a range of factors including:

usage and environment allocations

licenses

legislative requirements

enterprise policies

cost benefit analysis

Environmental factors that impact on surface water may include:

environmental flow requirements

catchment usage and management

weather and climate

rainfall run-off

chemicals

salinity

nutrients

reservoir operations

natural events

Users and stakeholders may include:

water consumers

government

water authorities

environmental departments

recreational users of the area

interest groups

industry

extractive industry


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Collection and distribution.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.