Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:04 AM AWST

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Manage water systems

Manage water systems

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCWAT502A
State Code
D7275
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/06/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/06/2014
Field of Education
080321 - Farm Management And Agribusiness
Original Release Date
25/06/2014
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit covers managing water systems and defines the standard required to: identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action; determine the feasibility of using or up-grading an irrigation system; install or modify an irrigation and drainage system as necessary; evaluate irrigation system outputs and performance and strategically manage irrigated production systems
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine the feasibility of using or up-grading irrigation system
  • 1.1. Water resources and drainage implications are assessed to determine suitability for irrigation.
  • 1.2. Water quality and treatment requirements are determined.
  • 1.3. Water requirements and most suitable application systems are determined for each crop/plant type and area, and for each soil type.
  • 1.4. Other water requirements, such as climate control, are determined.
  • 1.5. Soil types are assessed to determine suitability for irrigation and the range of crop/plant types that could be grown.
  • 1.6. Drainage requirements are determined in relation to each soil and crop/plant type and type of irrigation system.
  • 1.7. Performance data, audit reports, environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) data for existing systems are assessed if available.
  • 1.8. Information is obtained from irrigation specialists on all relevant aspects of irrigation design.
  • 1.9. Available irrigation system types and components are assessed and costed, and a decision is made on the particular system to be used or upgrades to existing system.
2. Install or modify an irrigation and drainage system as necessary
  • 2.1. Materials and equipment making up the system are determined and acquired.
  • 2.2. Irrigation system is installed using advice, as necessary, from irrigation specialists.
  • 2.3. Checking that irrigation and drainage systems are supervised to ensure there are no leaks or blockages; that the water is being evenly distributed; that drainage is effective and the system is in good working order.
3. Evaluate irrigation system performance
  • 3.1. Plant growth /yield increases from irrigation are determined and valued.
  • 3.2. Costs of irrigation are calculated.
  • 3.3. Cost benefit of irrigation is determined and compared with alternative systems/approaches.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Irrigation system types may include:
flood
furrow
micro-sprinklers
pop-ups
impact sprinklers
low-level lines
overhead sprinklers
drippers and micro-jets.
Irrigated systems may include:
water harvesting
delivery
drainage collection
drainage storage and treatment as well as natural drainage and treatment systems involving the removal of pollutants through evaporation, and/or clearance by filtration through surface layers.
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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action
determine the feasibility of using or up-grading an irrigation system
install or modify an irrigation and drainage system as necessary
evaluate irrigation system outputs and performance
strategically manage irrigated production systems.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S3562 RTE5606A Manage water systems Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAN98 AHCWAT502 Manage water systems Unit of competency