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.
Reasons and requirements for treatment include:
ensuring conformity with standards and guidelines, including Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
removal of impurities, contaminants and pollution
impact of impurities on water treatment processes
relevant water legislation and regulations relating to water and the environment
hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) operational philosophy
Water treatment processes may include:
screens
coagulation and flocculation
sedimentation clarification
dissolved air flotation
granular and membrane filtration
disinfection
aeration and oxidation
fluoridation
reverse osmosis
ion exchange
activated carbon adsorption
calibration of dosing equipment
softening
backwash water treatment
Mechanicalequipment may include:
pumps, including:
centrifugal
positive displacement
airlift
blowers and compressors
mixers and chemical batching facilities
control valves
electronic digital monitoring systems
recording systems
chemical testing and analysis equipment
communication equipment
flow meters
alarms and process control systems
centrifuge
belt filter press
screens, including raked bar screens
manual or hydraulic equipment
Chemicals and aids used may include:
lime
soda ash
aluminium and iron coagulants
polymers
chlorine
fluoride
carbon dioxide

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 operate water treatment processes within potable community and industrial water treatment plants in urban and rural areas including:
applying water treatment processes, including operating mechanical equipment
using chemicals safely and according to organisational procedures
conducting regular routine inspection of mechanical equipment
identifying hazards and applying appropriate safety procedures
gathering and recording data
reporting anomalies
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
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.