Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:46 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:46 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Monitor water handling and distribution practices
Monitor water handling and distribution practices
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFPH006A
DEFPH006A
State Code
AVV68
AVV68
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
030907 - Water And Sanitary Engineering
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to inspect and monitor water distribution for safe water handling practice within the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Monitor water distribution point
- 1.1 Routine monitoring of water storage and distribution points is performed to assess standard of safe water handling practices.
- 1.2 Field water testing is performed to ascertain the quality of water.
- 1.3 Samples of water are obtained and processed for testing in a laboratory, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4 Information gathered during monitoring is collected and interpreted against national standards for drinking water quality.
- 1.5 General assessment is made of local water handling practices and reported to relevant personnel, including recommendations for improving water safety.
- 1.6 Water contamination is reported to relevant personnel and immediate action is taken to restrict the use of contaminated water.
2. Monitor water storage and distribution equipment
- 2.1 Local system for cleaning and sanitising water storage and distribution equipment is reviewed to ensure it conforms with organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.2 Advice on cleaning and sanitising water storage and distribution equipment is provided.
- 2.3 System for regular water storage and distribution equipment survey is established to ensure continued compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.4 Equipment suspected to be contaminated or not approved for water storage and distribution is reported to relevant personnel and immediate action is taken to restrict further use.
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Standard of safe water handling practices may include:
Controlling water distribution from a central point of supply
Organising regular water-point survey by health personnel
Performing correct individual clarification
Performing individual disinfection
Protecting from vectors of disease (house flies)
Storing in a location protected from contamination
Using approved storage containers
Field water testing may include:
Faecal coliform bacteria
Free chlorine (after addition)
Physical characteristics (taste, colour, odour and temperature)
pH
Radioactivity (as ordered)
Selected poisons (if presence is suspected, normally arsenic and cyanide, and may include mustard and nerve agents)
Total coliform bacteria
Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Turbidity
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
Clinical standards (state/territory and national)
Codes of ethics
Codes of practice
Environmental health policy
Health and hygiene guidelines
Health surveillance policy documents
Industry professional body standards
Industry standards (state/territory and national)
Organisational health policy directives
Pesticides manual
Relevant Australian Standards
Relevant Commonwealth Acts
Workplace safety guidelines
Immediate action may include:
Classifying water not fit for consumption
Classifying water storage containers not fit for continued use
Liaising with persons in authority to inform them of the situation
Making arrangements to correct the problem
Standard of safe water handling practices may include:
Controlling water distribution from a central point of supply
Organising regular water-point survey by health personnel
Performing correct individual clarification
Performing individual disinfection
Protecting from vectors of disease (house flies)
Storing in a location protected from contamination
Using approved storage containers
Field water testing may include:
Faecal coliform bacteria
Free chlorine (after addition)
Physical characteristics (taste, colour, odour and temperature)
pH
Radioactivity (as ordered)
Selected poisons (if presence is suspected, normally arsenic and cyanide, and may include mustard and nerve agents)
Total coliform bacteria
Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Turbidity
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
Clinical standards (state/territory and national)
Codes of ethics
Codes of practice
Environmental health policy
Health and hygiene guidelines
Health surveillance policy documents
Industry professional body standards
Industry standards (state/territory and national)
Organisational health policy directives
Pesticides manual
Relevant Australian Standards
Relevant Commonwealth Acts
Workplace safety guidelines
Immediate action may include:
Classifying water not fit for consumption
Classifying water storage containers not fit for continued use
Liaising with persons in authority to inform them of the situation
Making arrangements to correct the problem
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
liaise and communicate with personnel in authority
recognise unsafe water or water storage containers and take action to prevent illness
impart knowledge of safe water handling practices
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over a minimum of two assessment occasions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace situation. This may be in an urban or a field setting.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
appropriate equipment and stores
relevant organisational policies and procedures
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
liaise and communicate with personnel in authority
recognise unsafe water or water storage containers and take action to prevent illness
impart knowledge of safe water handling practices
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over a minimum of two assessment occasions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace situation. This may be in an urban or a field setting.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
appropriate equipment and stores
relevant organisational policies and procedures
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC00 | DEFPHL006 | Monitor water handling and distribution practices | Unit of competency |
