Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:16 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.

Analyse and review water treatment plant technology

Analyse and review water treatment plant technology

Unit of competency
National Code
NWP707A
State Code
D1997
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
30/04/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/11/2014
Field of Education
030907 - Water And Sanitary Engineering
Original Release Date
06/11/2014
Nominal Hours
120
Description
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to understand water quality and sustainability technology, and provide high-level advice on meeting legislative and regulatory requirements. A detailed understanding is required of the planning, design, testing and operation of advanced processes, incorporating new or novel technologies, together with the ability to identify problems and suggest viable cost-effective solutions within the constraints of legislation and regulations.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Analyse fundamentals of water science
  • 1.1 Analyse natural and engineered water cycles to establish their components, features and variables.
  • 1.2 Carry out water testing according to procedures in order to determine water and wastewater parameters, including nitrogen, phosphorus and microbiological indicators.
  • 1.3 Identify substances commonly found in natural water sources and analyse their interactions.
  • 1.4 Identify substances commonly found in range ofwastewatersources and analyse their environmental and epidemiological effects.
  • 1.5 Identify microbial species found in water and wastewater and determine their activities and effects as agents of disease or agents for removing organic matter.
2Determine design features of water treatment plants
  • 2.1 Determine purpose of water treatment and quality standards required in providing water for human consumption, industry, agriculture and aquaculture.
  • 2.2 Analyse fundamentals of separation processes to determine their role in water treatment.
  • 2.3 Research microbial metabolism systems and determine their role in removing organic and inorganic constituents of water.
  • 2.4 Analyse input and output parameters of water and wastewater treatment systems.
  • 2.5 Determine fundamental features of water and wastewater reticulation systems to establish their role and function in water treatment.
3Analyse application of government legislation and policies to water industry
  • 3.1 Research legislation and regulations for Australian water industry to identify evolutionary framework and forces of change.
  • 3.2 Identify key principles and provisions of water-related legislation and regulations and analyse them for their impact on current practice.
  • 3.3 Analyse the Environment Protection Agency conditions for water and wastewater treatment plant licences, and Australian drinking water quality parameters to identify operational standards required.
  • 3.4 Identify changes required to meet legislative and regulatory requirements and communicate to relevant stakeholders.
4Prepare strategic advice
  • 4.1 Synthesise and evaluate design, operation and management of water treatment plants and processes.
  • 4.2 Consult relevant personnel to inform the framing of policy advice for the water organisation.
  • 4.3 Prepare and present strategic advice on current and potential policies and procedures and the design, operation and management of water treatment plants and processes.
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 of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Components may include:
natural water cycles, including:
rivers and lakes
artesian and aquifers
brackish and salt water
stormwater
engineered water cycles, including:
reticulation systems
dams
collection systems
bores and wells
Features may include:
natural water cycles:
rainfall patterns
size and protection
retention time in catchment
evaporation rate
types of source:
bore
river
dam
engineered water cycles
type of user:
domestic
industrial
aquaculture
agriculture
type of water or wastewater treatment system:
urban
non-urban
length and volume of collection and reticulation system
Variables may include:
natural water cycles, including:
rainfall
temperature
pH, hardness and alkalinity
taste, odour, colour and turbidity
nature and quantity of total dissolved and suspended matter
dissolved oxygen
engineered water cycles, including:
flow rates
industrial and agricultural uses and inputs
input and output parameters
availability and uses of recycling
Water testing may include:
pH, chlorine, suspended solids and dissolved oxygen
alkalinity and volatile acids
mixed liquor suspended solids
mixed liquor volatile suspended solids
colour, turbidity and conductivity
biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), other ions and organic compounds
identification and enumeration of bacteria, cyanobacteria and protozoa.
Substances commonly found in natural watersources may include:
metal ions
salts
N and P
microorganisms and algae
organic and inorganic compounds producing colour, turbidity, odour or taste
radiation emitters.
Interactions may include:
oxidation of metal ions
settling of suspended matter
ultraviolet destruction of microorganisms
growth of nuisance organisms, such as cyanobacteria
Substances commonly found in range of wastewater sources may include:
toxins
metals
domestic or industrial organic matter
other dissolved and suspended solids
toxic, flammable and asphyxiating gases
disinfection by-products
Range of wastewater sources may include:
domestic
industry
aquaculture
agriculture
stormwater
Environmental effects may include:
serious:
material environmental harm to air, water or land
nuisance environmental harm
Epidemiological effects may include:
faecal-oral route of infection
infection and transmission of infectious agents
effects of biological, chemical or physical toxins on animals and plants
Microbial species may include:
E. Coli
salmonella
campylobacter
Shigella
Yersinia
protozoa
adenovirus
enterovirus
hepatitis virus
Agents of disease may include:
bacteria
viruses
protozoa
microbial toxins
chemical toxins
Agents for removing organic matter may include:
aerobic bacteria
facultative bacteria
anaerobic bacteria
Water treatment may include:
coagulation
flocculation
sedimentation
filtration
disinfection
natural systems
designed wetlands
lagoons
Imhoff tanks
small septic tanks
bio-filters
contactors
activated sludge processes
special treatment processes
Separation processes may include:
filtration
presses
centrifuges
sedimentation
gravity settling
flocculation
chemically assisted processes
Input and output parameters may include:
Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand
suspended solids
biomass as mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) or mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS)
pH
dissolved oxygen (DO)
N, P and other chemical species
toxins
chlorine
faecal coliforms, such as E. Coli
colour
turbidity
Fundamental features may include:
pipe networks
gravity and pressure systems
pumps and pump wells
reservoirs
residual disinfection
oxygenation
hydraulic modelling
leak detection
leak prevention
Reticulation systems may include:
sewage collection systems
water distribution systems
Legislation and regulations relevant to the State or Territory may include:
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
relevant state and territory environmental protection legislation
relevant water legislation and regulations
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
Water recycling guidelines
Water quality guidelines
National Water Quality Management Strategy
Forces of change may include:
community expectations
availability of technology
climatic change
diminishing fresh water sources
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 understand water quality and sustainability technology, and provide high-level advice on meeting legislative and regulator requirements including:
analysing and applying principles of water science
analysing and applying principles associated with design of water treatment plants and processes
reviewing and refining current practices associated with water treatment plant technologies
preparing clear and accurate reports
contributing to development of water treatment planning within organisation.
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
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 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.
Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.
No information