Application
This unit describes the skills required to identify wastewater microorganisms and select appropriate measures to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
This unit applies to those working as wastewater treatment operational specialists.
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Investigate wastewater microorganisms | 1.1 Identify a range of typical wastewater microorganisms. 1.2 Identify the general characteristics of different types of microorganisms. 1.3 Identify wastewater characteristics that impact on microorganism growth. 1.4 Identify the problems caused by microorganisms in specific wastewater treatment processes. |
2. Select strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms | 2.1 Investigate the cause of effluent quality issues. 2.2 Investigate the operational status of the wastewater treatment process. 2.3 Assess the effectiveness of various process control strategies to optimise the growth of beneficial microorganisms. 2.4 Select the most appropriate method. |
3. Identify and report on appropriate process controls | 3.1 Identify treatment process conditions for optimising the growth of beneficial microorganisms. 3.2 Report on appropriate treatment processes and associated sampling and testing requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
interpreting a range of complex and technical documents, including:
regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements
codes and standards
specifications
organisational policies
identifying wastewater microorganisms
identifying a range of wastewater microorganisms, and their general characteristics and types of problems caused
preparing reports outlining the optimum treatment for various microorganisms including measures to ensure validity
Evidence of Knowledge
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, lifecycle, characteristics of wastewater microorganisms
operational problems caused by wastewater microorganisms
effluent quality problems caused by wastewater microorganisms
relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures
principles of wastewater treatment processes
process control strategies
properties and mode of action of chemical additives
Assessment Conditions
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.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
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.
Competency Field
Treatment