This unit describes the skills required to assess, evaluate system performance, investigate and report on the optimisation of desalination processes for water treatment and water recycling.

This unit applies to those working as water treatment operators responsible for water quality in a range of technical and process applications in water and wastewater treatment.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work autonomously performing sophisticated tasks in a familiar context.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. The candidate must be assessed in at least one of the desalination processes listed in the Range of conditions. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

preparing and applying chemical dosing and cleaning

applying calculations to determine log removal values, Langelier saturation index, silt density index, salt passage or permeate flux, as required

evaluating process performance

reviewing existing process performance with reference to historical data, differences in raw water quality and plant configuration

identifying data deficiencies and collecting additional data through appropriate sampling and testing

assessing fault reports and investigating current operational status of processes for water treatment

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the treatment optimisation options for desalination

preparing recommendation reports

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

types and characteristics of chemical and microbial contaminants treated through desalination processes

problems for desalination processes caused by chemical and biological contamination

relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures relating directly to the control and operation of desalination processes

principles of water reuse treatment processes

log removal value concept for desalination

saturation indices used for prediction of scaling formation

silt and/or fouling indices used for prediction of solids or colloidal fouling

properties and modes of action for desalination

types and application of chemicals and chemical cleaning methods for desalination processes

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Some components of this unit require assessment in a workplace environment therefore the unit is not suitable for fully external or electronic based assessment.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.

Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.

Treatment