Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Need for assessing water use may include assessment for:
determining water profile
opportunities for reducing water use and improving water efficiency
legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes
providing building design advice.
Residential building refers to:
any building categorised as Class 1, 2, 4 and 10a of the Building Code of Australia or in accordance with jurisdictional requirements.
Client may include:
builder
community organisation
construction manager
government agency
house owner
landlord
property developer
property manager
real estate agent
tenant
water authority.
Effective communication strategies may include:
active listening
being non-judgemental
exploring problems
expressing an individual perspective
providing sufficient time for questions and responses
providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations
using appropriate words, behaviour and posture
using clarifying, summarising questions
using clear and concise language
using culturally appropriate communication
using plain English
using verbal and non-verbal communication.
Commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations, and industry ethical and conduct standards may include:
environment protection
ethical behaviour
fair trading and consumer protection:
confidentiality
conflict of interest
duty of care
non-discriminatory practices
privacy
residential tenancies
OHS
water and water management
water use assessment:
accreditation
assessment procedures
certification
documentation.
Issues may include:
basis for need to conduct water use assessment
information required by assessor from client
information that assessor is required to document
objectives of assessment.
Hazards may include:
appliances:
electrocution
faults
biological waste:
black water
greywater
confined spaces
electricity
harassment, bullying and/or violence involving co-workers or customers
hazardous substances:
allergens
asbestos
chemicals
fibres
fumes
insulation
heat:
burns
scalds
manual handling:
carrying
lifting
pulling
pushing
machinery, including powered and non-powered equipment
skin penetrating injuries:
knives
sharps
syringes
work environment:
access
animals
dust
floor surfaces
lighting
noise
pollen
temperature
trips and falls
working alone
working at heights
ventilation.
Assessment documentation may include:
building details
building plans and specifications
checklists
client details
company promotional materials
contact details
existing water bills
photographic evidence
risk assessment
site details
water meter readings.
Tools, equipment and other requirements may include:
bucket
calculator
clipboard
clock
compass
digital camera
flow meter
ladder
personal protective equipment (PPE):
dust masks
eye protection
headwear
gloves
overalls
safety shoes and work boots
tape measure
thermometer
timer
torch.
Information that should be obtained prior to assessment may include:
appliances:
age
capacity
number
type
household members:
number
age
water accounts:
billing history
plans
tariffs
water reduction, reuse and recycling strategies currently in place:
greywater collection and use
water tanks
other water conservation strategies.
Details of assessment may include:
address of residence
assessor name and contact details
cost of assessment
date and time of assessment
duration of assessment.
Information may include:
age, type and operation of appliances
behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on water use
water costs
water use
water services:
internal water services
external water services.
Information on household water use and costs may be gathered through:
analysis of water meter readings:
conventional meters
smart meters
analysis of accounts to show daily, seasonal and trend data on water use and cost
analysis of costs of different water plans and tariff structures.
Information on internal water services may include:
characteristics of internal water services:
age
average daily use
capacity
condition
flow rate
greywater collection and use
leaks and drips
maintenance costs of system
number
suitability for size of household
water efficiency rating
water saving features
water use
number and type of internal water services:
baths
clothes washing machines
combination washer/dryer machines
dishwashers
hot water circulators
showers
spas
tap equipment
toilets.
Information on external water services may include:
characteristics of external water services:
age
average daily use
condition
flow rate
greywater collection and use
leaks and drips
maintenance costs of system
number
pipe
placement
suitability for size of household
water saving features
water use
number and type of external water services:
domestic irrigation and reticulation systems
evaporative coolers
greywater systems
spas
swimming pools
taps and hoses.
Information onbehaviour and preferences of household members that impact on water use may relate to:
attitudes of other household members not participating in the assessment process
attitudes to reducing, reusing and recycling water
resident perception of water consumption
gardening practices
inefficient water use:
car washing
washing of external surfaces
medical conditions of household
setting, programming and using timers and other controls
showering times
use of appliances
use of evaporative cooling systems
use of hot water
use of pools and spas.
Data collection tools may include:
checklists and forms
graphs
questionnaires
self-assessment forms
software programs
water use calculators.
Characteristics of household water use, costs and emissions may include:
comparison of water use and costs with similar households
components of internal and external water use
daily water use and costs
occupant behaviour
seasonal variation in water use and costs
total water consumption and cost
trends in water consumption and costs over time.
Options for improving efficiency of water use and reducing costs and emissions may include:
behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on water use:
efficient use of appliances
knowledge of leak detection techniques
knowledge of WELS ratings
limit inefficient water use:
car washing
washing of external surfaces
reduce showering time
use of appliances
use of hot water
use of settings, programming, timers and other controls on appliances and irrigation systems
external water services:
domestic irrigation and reticulation systems:
check for drips and leaks
check for correct placement of system
check timing and duration of use
undertake regular maintenance
use gardening practices that reduce water usage
use recycled water
use timers and control devices
use substrata (under the mulch) drip irrigation
evaporative coolers:
check for drips and leaks
check size of appliances relative to household requirements, as appropriate
maintain appliances
reduce dumping/bleed-off rates
reduce water supply pressure
reset thermostats and timers, where applicable
use discharge water on lawns and grass areas
spas and spa pools:
check for drips and leaks
keep spa or spa pool water in correct condition to avoid emptying polluted water
never over-fill a spa pool
use backwash minimisation system
use spa pool cover
swimming pools:
check for drips and leaks
ensure pool has suitable overhanging pavers or decking to keep splash-out to a minimum
install shade sails and wind covers to minimise evaporation
keep pool water in correct condition to avoid emptying polluted water
never over-fill a pool
use backwash minimisation system
use pool cover
water tank to collect rainfall to top up pool as needed
taps and hoses:
check for drips and leaks
install pressure valves
fit flow restrictors
internal water services:
appliances:
check for drips and leaks
check size of appliances relative to household requirements, as appropriate
check WELS ratings
consider necessity of having multiple appliances
maintain appliances
replace with appliances that have different cycles
replace with water efficient appliances
set timers, where applicable
use appropriate program settings
use in compliance with manufacturer instructions
use with full loads
showers, check for:
drips and leaks
flow cut-off valves
flow restrictors
low-flow shower heads
shower timers
smart metering of shower use
WELS rating
tap equipment, check for:
drips and leaks
flow regulators
tap aerators
valves
WELS rating
toilets, check for:
drips and leaks
dual and reduced flush systems
water saving and displacement devices for single flush toilets
WELS rating
water efficient gardening practices:
drought tolerant planting
mulching
replacing lawns
lawn alternatives
composts and manures on soil
rainwater and greywater
water efficient irrigation systems
water efficient watering practices
weeding.
Evaluation takes into account:
availability of rebates and other assistance programs
behaviour and preferences of householders
cost
ownership of building
practicality
type of building.
Sources of technical advice on incorporating rainwater harvesting, greywater technologies and other water conservation measures in residential buildings may include:
architects
building designers
colleagues
consultants
gardeners
government agencies
professional associations
research bodies
supervisors
suppliers of domestic greywater, water harvesting and water conservation technologies
water utilities.
Advantages and disadvantages of rainwater harvesting, greywater technologies and other water conservation measures may include:
advantages:
availability of financial incentives
higher resale value
isolation for building owners from future water price increases
pre-empt future legislative restrictions or penalties, which may force expensive retrofits to inefficient buildings
reduce total net monthly cost of living
value of building relative to similar conventional building should water costs increase
disadvantages:
effort required to understand, apply and qualify for rebates
initial cost
overcapitalising on older buildings.
Evaluations are based on:
climate
cost
location
physical features and ownership of building
practicality
type
user behaviour and preferences.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
This unit of competency could be assessed by conducting an assessment of water use in a residence that involves collecting and analysing information on household water use and providing advice on ways to improve water efficiency.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
In particular, the person should demonstrate the ability to:
collect and analyse information on household water use and on ways to improve water efficiency in the home
assess opportunities for incorporating rainwater harvesting, greywater technologies and other water conservation measures in a residential building
comply with OHS requirements when conducting household water assessment
apply knowledge of:
trends in household water use and costs
ways of gathering information on household water use and costs
ways to improve household water efficiency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context and is to comply with relevant regulatory and Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
data collection tools
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
access to residential buildings for conducting an assessment of water use
technology suitable for generating reports
technical reference library with current publications on:
Australian climatic zones
greywater technologies and other water conservation measures
manufacturers' product information on domestic appliances
rainwater harvesting
water rating schemes for appliances
water use and measurement.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the CPP07 Property Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example:
CPPHSA4001A Assess household energy use
CPPHSA4002A Assess household waste generation and management
CPPHSA4004A Assess thermal performance of existing residences using non-rating tools and techniques.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.