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 if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Monitoring may require:
visual and electronic inspection
the implementation of incident management plans and reporting procedures
the implementation of by-laws, organisational policies, standard operating procedures and statutory requirements
Organisational and statutory requirements may include:
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
National Water Quality Management Strategy
World Health Organisation guidelines
local authority by-laws
organisational policies and standard operating procedures
environment protection
equal employment opportunity
occupational health and safety, including the use of personal protective equipment
plumbing and drainage standards
Water Acts
electrical and mechanical procedures
hazardous substances and dangerous goods
Water quality includes:
parameters and standards as set by:
the World Health Organisation
the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
Water quality problems may include:
loss of disinfection
E. coli
cross contamination
levels of heavy metals, such as manganese and iron
turbidity (nephelometric turbidity units -NTU)
colour (Hazen units - HU)
odour and presence of trihalomethanes (THMs)
System data may include:
sampling and testing records
infrastructure failures
customer complaints
Investigation may require:
the identification of possible contamination in areas including:
catchment areas
bulkwater assets
water transfer assets
water distribution assets
sampling procedures
interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and the general public
Incident management procedures may include:
categorisation of the incident
implementation of the incident management control plan
customer notification
notification to relevant state or territory government departments
Stakeholders may include:
consumers
employee groups
community groups
government departments

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:
perform each task outlined in the elements consistently and in a representative range of contexts
meet the performance criteria associated with each element by employing the techniques, procedures, information and resources available in the workplace from those listed in the range statement
demonstrate an understanding of the underpinning knowledge and the application of skills as described under knowledge and skills
The candidate should demonstrate the ability to:
monitor characteristics of water quality
investigate water quality problems
collect samples
collect and record water quality data
analyse and resolve water quality incidents
inform stakeholders regarding water quality procedures and incident management plans
complete incident reports and other relevant documentation
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/or 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.