SISCAQU201A
Monitor pool water quality

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to continually monitor the water quality of swimming pools and aquatic facilities, take corrective action and record test results.

Application

This unit applies to those working as pool attendants or aquatic operators in various aquatic environments, such as council or commercially operated aquatic and leisure centres. Work may be carried out under supervision or with some degree of autonomy, depending on the individual situation and job role.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Conduct pool water tests.

1.1. Complete routine pool water tests according to public health regulatory requirements, organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation.

1.2. Compare and interpret pool water test results with public health regulatory requirements.

1.3. Report pool water test irregularities to aquatic facility or to service personnel for corrective action.

1.4. Respond to contamination incidents according to public health regulatory requirements, organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation.

1.5. Perform continual visual checks of pool water quality and initiate corrective actions.

2. Record results.

2.1.Record routine pool water test results according to aquatic facility specifications and public health regulatory requirements.

2.2.Update swimming pool log according to aquatic facility specifications and organisational policies and procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

report irregularities to aquatic facility or service personnel

initiate corrective actions

problem-solving skills to:

conduct a variety of routine pool water tests

identify irregularities in results

respond to contamination incidents

planning and organisational skills to conduct regular pool water tests according to facility schedule

literacy skills to:

record pool water test results

update swimming pool log

numeracy skills to identify and interpret routine test results.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures that enable:

safe conduct of pool water tests

appropriate response to contamination incidents

correct maintenance of swimming pool logs

public health regulatory requirements and aquatic facility specifications for:

comparing and interpreting pool water test results

recording pool water test results

pool water chemistry to understand scientific terms related to tests such as pH levels, alkalinity, chlorine, bromine, temperature and calcium hardness

equipment and resources used for testing pool water quality.

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.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

conducts pool water tests and reports irregularities to aquatic facility or service personnel promptly, according to public health regulatory requirements and organisational policies and procedures

records pool water test results and updates pool log according to organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation

performs routine visual checks for pool water quality and proposes corrective actions in response to contamination incidents.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of regular pool water tests to monitor water quality over a realistic aquatic facility timeframe.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

an aquatic facility with a suitable pool

equipment, resources and pool water testing apparatuses to test water quality

public health regulatory requirements, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of the candidate using pool water testing apparatuses and equipment

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the application of routine pool water quality tests

observation of reading and recording test results

portfolio of written recordings detailing test irregularities, pool water test results and log updates

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing the candidate's performance on the job.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISXOHS101A Follow occupational health and safety policies


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.

Routine pool water tests may include:

free chlorine

total bromine

total chlorine

combined chlorine

pH

alkalinity

cyanuric acid

calcium hardness

total hardness

temperature.

Public health regulatory requirements may include:

health and poisons acts

infectious diseases regulations

dangerous goods act and regulations

metropolitan water supply, sewerage and drainage by-laws

occupational health and safety act

environment legislation

local government regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

communication protocols

use and maintenance of equipment and resources

reporting and record keeping

emergency and risk management procedures.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

dangerous goods

environment.

Pool water quality may include:

microbiological

disinfectant

pH

clarity.


Sectors

Community Recreation


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.