Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Wastewater sources may include:
domestic
industrial
storm
ground
Reasons for treatment may include:
ensuring conformity with legislation, regulations, standards and codes
removal of impurities and contaminants to enable discharge or re-use
reducing impact of impurities on the environment and public health
Statutory requirements are defined by:
relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations
codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs
relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements
Wastewater treatment processes may include:
grit removal
aeration
screening
sedimentation
disinfection
granular and membrane filtration
thickening and dewatering
suspended and fixed media aerobic bioreactor processes
anaerobic processes
lagoons and wetlands
gas scrubbers
biosolids and effluent disposal and re-use
dilution
chemical dosing
nutrient removal
reverse osmosis
Characteristics of wastewater may include:
types of impurities, such as:
organic
inorganic
micro-organisms
public health considerations
Equipment used may include:
pumps, including:
centrifugal
positive displacement
airlift
blowers
screens
control valves
electronic digital monitoring systems
recording systems
chemical testing and analysis equipment
communication equipment
belt press
centrifuge
comminutor
flow meters
flow recorders
manual or hydraulic equipment
personal protective equipment
Chemicals and major equipment used may include:
chemicals and lime
sodium hypochlorite
aluminium and iron coagulants
polymers
Data may include:
instantaneous flow rate
flow records
temperature
sand and grit
pH
chemical oxygen demand
dissolved oxygen
settleable solids concentration (cone test)
thirty minute settleability test
sludge blanket level
residual chlorine
microscopic examination
conductivity
Process calculations may include:
average dry weather flow
peak dry weather flow
chemical feed rate and concentration
process efficiency
Wastewater quality parameters may include:
physical
chemical
microbiological

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 tomonitor and report on wastewater treatment processes within domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants in urban and rural areas including:
performing, recording and reporting process measurements and calculations
demonstrating procedures for starting and stopping plant and locking out control equipment
adjusting process controls according to specific plant procedures
recording and reporting faults and breakdowns
identifying common process faults and following procedures to rectify these
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 only taken at the point 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 and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.