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Evidence Guide: NWP362B - Monitor, operate and control reclaimed water irrigation

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

NWP362B - Monitor, operate and control reclaimed water irrigation

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Assess sites for reclaimed water irrigation.

  1. Identify soil/water interactions and soil properties important for plant growth.
  2. Identify soil sampling sites, collect samples and conduct soil testing.
  3. Classify soils using field texture, pH and structure analysis.
  4. Monitor and determine the water holding capacity of the soil.
Identify soil/water interactions and soil properties important for plant growth.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify soil sampling sites, collect samples and conduct soil testing.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classify soils using field texture, pH and structure analysis.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitor and determine the water holding capacity of the soil.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assess quality of reclaimed water for irrigation.

  1. Sample and test reclaimed water and interpret quality parameters.
  2. Determine crops suitable for the quality of reclaimed water and site conditions.
Sample and test reclaimed water and interpret quality parameters.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Determine crops suitable for the quality of reclaimed water and site conditions.

Completed
Date:

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Implement reclaimed water irrigation.

  1. Identify basic features of irrigation systems.
  2. Operate and maintain irrigation equipment according to organisational requirements.
  3. Identify and apply irrigation scheduling options for reclaimed water.
  4. Use crop factors and climate data to produce water budgets.
  5. Apply irrigation water and collect and monitor tail water or runoff according to organisational and statutory requirements.
Identify basic features of irrigation systems.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operate and maintain irrigation equipment according to organisational requirements.

Completed
Date:

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Identify and apply irrigation scheduling options for reclaimed water.

Completed
Date:

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Use crop factors and climate data to produce water budgets.

Completed
Date:

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Apply irrigation water and collect and monitor tail water or runoff according to organisational and statutory requirements.

Completed
Date:

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Respond to water or soil quality issues.

  1. Develop irrigation management options to respond to water quality issues.
  2. Identify and apply requirements and options for soil ameliorants.
  3. Monitor infiltration and drainage according to organisational requirements.
Develop irrigation management options to respond to water quality issues.

Completed
Date:

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Identify and apply requirements and options for soil ameliorants.

Completed
Date:

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Monitor infiltration and drainage according to organisational requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compile reclaimed water irrigation records.

  1. Compile reports to meet organisational procedures and statutory requirements.
  2. Report observations outside defined parameters for further action.
Compile reports to meet organisational procedures and statutory requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report observations outside defined parameters for further action.

Completed
Date:

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Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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 monitor, operate and control reclaimed water irrigation, including:

analysis of the critical aspects of reclaimed water reuse management relating to the project or site

implementing reclaimed water reuse irrigation

identifying environment, health and safety risks and impact on soil, stock and operators

applying environmental procedures

participating in and contributing to reviews of reclaimed water reuse procedures.

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

collecting and noting circumstances and observations relating to a specific breaches of legislation

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.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. 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.

Required Skills and Knowledge

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

Required skills:

implement best practice irrigation procedures

monitor and manage soil

solve operational problems

access, interpret and apply relevant legislation

apply environmental policies, plans and procedures

apply control procedures to environmental risks and incidents

assess environmental risks at the work site

report and record environmental procedures

access, interpret and apply standard operating procedures

communicate effectively with customers

complete basic workplace records and/or reports

identify soil groups

use safety and personal protective equipment

perform work-related calculations

work effectively as part of a team

use communication equipment

give and receive instructions

sample and test soil and water.

Required knowledge:

key principles of irrigation practices, including irrigation scheduling

key characteristics of reclaimed water

relevant legislative requirements

standard operating procedures

environmental management procedures

control procedures for environmental risks and incidents

risk assessment procedures

environmental impact assessment

recording procedures

reporting procedures

established environmental management procedures

risk assessment procedures

primary agencies involved in drinking water quality management

water quality performance indicators

an overview of the water supply system

water hazardous agents and preventative strategies

community and agency roles and responsibilities in monitoring water quality

best management practices for the use of reclaimed water for irrigation purposes

reclaimed water usage licensing procedures and requirements

environmental, landscape and ground structure of work area

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant

interpretation and use of material safety data sheets.

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.

Soil properties may include:

surface soil

subsoil

soil profiles

a, b & c horizons

texture:

rock/gravel

sand

silt

clay

soil structure

aggregates

minerals

pores

soil colour.

Soil sampling may include:

selection of sample site/s using methods such as:

grid

random

zigzag

transect

collection of samples from:

field pits

auger holes

consistent application of sampling procedures as identified by the Department of Agriculture

maintenance of the integrity of the sample according to applicable statutory guidelines (Department of Agriculture, EPA).

Soil testing may include:

soil pH

soil texture assessment

mottle colour

soil nutrients

nitrogen

phosphorus (Olsen P or Colwell P)

potassium

fertiliser requirements

cation exchange capacity (CEC)

exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)

calcium/magnesium ratio

organic matter

hydraulic conductivity

consistence (dry only)

strength

stickiness

plasticity

Emerson dispersion grade.

Water holding capacity may include:

hydraulic conductivity

soil water potential

infiltration/leaching rates

field capacity determination.

Reclaimed water quality parameters may include:

pH

BOD/COD

total salt concentration

total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

soluble salts by electrical conductivity (EC)

nutrients - N, P, K

anions and cations

sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)

adjusted SAR.

Irrigation systems may include:

border check flood irrigation

graded or contour furrows

sub-surface irrigation

sprinklers

localised systems, such as:

drip

micro spray

trickle.

Equipment may include:

electronic monitoring and metering systems

reclaimed water flow distribution systems, including:

pipes

valves

pumps

channels

checks

drains

collection dams

flow control gates

pressured distribution equipment, such as:

sprinklers

travelling irrigators

sampling and testing equipment

infiltration testing equipment

manual chart recording systems

on- and off-road vehicles

communication equipment

atmosphere monitoring equipment

personal protective equipment

communication equipment

computerised equipment.

Irrigation scheduling options may include:

measurement of soil moisture content

on-site, physical soil moisture investigations

evaporation minus rainfall calculations

tensiometers

gypsum blocks

neutron probes

capacitance probes.

Water budgets may include:

weather details

rainfall

evaporation

crop factors and predicted plant water requirement

leaching requirements

soil types and characteristics

monthly/yearly calculation of reclaimed water required

calculation of suitable land areas for use.

Organisational requirements may include:

organisational policies and procedures

occupational health and safety

electrical and mechanical procedures.

Statutory requirements may include:

environmental legislation, including relevant:

Federal legislation

State/Territory legislations

local government by-laws

government or quasi-government policies and regulations

community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements

Water Acts

licensing and/or drainage agreements

plumbing and drainage standards

hazardous substances

World Health Organisation standards

NHMRC guidelines.

Irrigation management options may include:

shandying to reduce salt or nutrient loads

managing algal outbreaks

identification and reduction of odours from irrigation

restricting livestock or public access due to water quality issues

suspension of irrigation.

Soil ameliorants may include:

gypsum (calcium sulphate)

hydrated lime (limil)

agricultural lime (calcium carbonate)

biosolids.

Reports may include:

reclaimed water irrigation data including:

applications dates and volumes applied

volumes of run-off

water quality

rainfall, evaporation and/or other meteorological data

water budgets

salt budgets

plant performance data.