SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Water Purification Process Operations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
24193  National Certificate: Water Purification Process Operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 1058/05  2005-02-09  2007-11-28 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-11-28   2011-11-28  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
58951  National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  136  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
A person acquiring this qualification will be able to operate a minimum of five processes at a water purification treatment works. The qualifying learner will understand the purpose of water purification within the context of the environmental and cost values of water; will be able to work effectively within the working environment and in accordance with laid down procedures and safety practices; will be competent to operate pumps, a sand filter, the chemical dosing systems, the water recovery unit and sludge removal process; and the coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation processes. This qualification forms the foundation for advancement to a qualification as a water purification process controller on NQF level 4.

Rationale of the qualification:

This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs of water purification process operators working in the water sector that are expressed by employers and employees, both now and for the future. The introduction of a National Certificate in Water Purification Process Operations on NQF Level 2 provides the learner with a career path in water purification processes with skills specific to the operation of elements of a water purification works and progression to a National Certificate in Water Purification Process Control on NQF Level 4 (which will provide the skills necessary for the supervision of a water purification works). This qualification will enable learners to reach their full potential of advancement without the lack of formal education being an impassable barrier. In addition, the qualification will provide access to employment within the water sector together with the flexibility to pursue different careers within the water sector, and will allow for advancement through the recognition of prior learning. This qualification also focuses on the full development of the learner and further mobility and transportability within the water sector. It has been developed to assist with standardisation across the water purification industry and to permit learners, through several common unit standards, to access the complementary Wastewater Process Operator qualification with valuable employment potentials. This qualification will enhance productivity within the water sector and contribute towards the ecological sustainability and improvement of the water environment. The individual will have the capacity to advance and gain skills and self-respect. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A knowledge, comprehension and application of Language and Mathematics at NQF level 1.

Recognition of prior learning:

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the recognition of prior learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Any learner wishing to be directly assessed may arrange to do so, without attending further training or education. The assessor and learner will decide together on the most appropriate assessment route to be taken. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
On achieving this qualification the qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Exit level 1: Demonstrate an understanding of relevant legislation.
  • Exit level 2: Operate a minimum of five processes at a water purification treatment works.
  • Exit level 3: Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of equipment used with five processes at a water purification treatment works.
  • Exit level 4: Demonstrate interactive skills.
  • Exit level 5: Demonstrate knowledge of occupational health & safety and environmental issues. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Knowledge and comprehension regarding personal safety practices in a water purification environment is applied according to standard operating procedures and safety requirements.
  • Knowledge and comprehension of the National Water Act.

    2.
  • Operate a sand filter.
  • Operate coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation processes.
  • Operate water chemical dosing systems.
  • Operate pumps.
  • Process Water Recovery and Sludge Disposal.
  • Demonstrate good practice on a water purification treatment works.
  • Apply learning skills and knowledge in their personal, workplace and educational lives.

    3.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used when operating a sand filter at a water purification works.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used when operating coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation processes at a water purification works.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used when handling and disposing of sludge at a water purification works.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used when operating pumps.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used when operating a chemical dosing system.

    4.
  • Interaction with work colleagues and management on a water purification works.
  • Use communication skills to interact in a meaningful way with colleagues.
  • Use the range of generic skills as a foundation for learning.
  • Work with others in both learning and work-oriented situations.
  • Use supervisory skills and address human resource development objectives.

    5.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of occupational health & safety.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of relevant environmental legislation.
  • Personal health, hygiene and presentation in a water purification environment are maintained according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Apply skills relevant to a water purification context appropriately.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across unit standards to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment should show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome.

    Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others may be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed, and the nature and level of the qualification. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the demands of the qualification.

    While the generic component (literacy, communication and life skills) of this qualification at NQF Level 2 can be assessed through occupational contexts and activities relating to water purification treatment, care must be taken in both the learning programme and the assessment to ensure that these foundational skills are truly portable. The primary aim of this qualification is to ensure that learners have a sound base of general education to prepare them for further learning, whatever career path they may choose. Learners must be able to transfer generic skills such as language, computation and learning skills etc across a number of different contexts, and apply them within a number of learning areas.

    A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. Unit standards in the qualification must be used to assess specific and critical cross-field outcomes. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflexive competencies. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The core and elective components have been developed taking into account South Africa`s unique context, but also looking at international best practice. Benchmarking was done against the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) NWP01 Water Industry and the Certificate Course in Water and Wastewater; and Scottish Vocational Qualifications: Monitoring the Water Environment level 2 -- Code G322, Operating Process Plant: Sludge level 2 -- Code G31M, Operating Process Plant: Sludge level 2 -- Code G5HC, Operating Process Plant: Water level 2 -- Code G31J, Operating Process Plant: Water level 2 -- Code G5HE as well as the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) National Certificate in Water Treatment (Site Operator). A substantial degree of similarity was found. These qualifications are therefore comparable to the Scottish, Australian and New Zealand qualifications. The fundamental components, reflecting foundational learning and generic skills and knowledge have been derived from registered, local adult education unit standards. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification will allow a person to articulate to the water purification qualification on NQF level 4. The qualification was developed together with the National Certificate in Wastewater Process Operations NQF2. Accordingly common unit standards will permit flexibility within the water sector. In addition, the qualification will contribute to assisting the individual with the capacity to advance and gain skills, which are portable, and in so doing gain self respect. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against these standards must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of these unit standards or will assess these unit standards must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

    Therefore anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • A minimum of two years practical, relevant occupational experience.
  • Competency in all the outcomes of the generic assessor standard.
  • Detailed documentary proof of educational qualification, practical training undergone, and experience gained by the applicant must be provided (Portfolio of evidence).
  • To demonstrate competence in relation to these specified standards and qualifications, at or above, the level of the qualifications in question.
  • To meet any other additional requirements laid down by their constituent ETQA.

    The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.
    The status of registered assessors can be checked on the appropriate ETQA database or website. 

  • NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 58951, which is "National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations", Level 2, 130 credits. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  13113  Operate a sand filter  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  12035  Apply personal safety practices on a wastewater treatment works  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  8494  Demonstrate an understanding of HIV/AIDS and its implications  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12042  Demonstrate chemical and bacteriological sampling techniques and field tests  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12037  Demonstrate knowledge of mechanical and electrical equipment  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12287  Demonstrate knowledge of the water purification process  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12033  Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems and processes  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12322  Operate coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation processes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Core  12133  Operate pumps  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12331  Operate The Chlorine Dosing Process  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12324  Operate Water Chemical Dosing Systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Core  12333  Operate water recovery unit and dispose of sludge  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  12036  Orientate self in the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8963  Access and use information from texts  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9009  Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  7480  Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8962  Maintain and adapt oral communication  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  12444  Measure, estimate and calculate physical quantities and explore, describe and represent geometrical relationships in 2-dimensions in different life or workplace contexts  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9882  Read and interpret basic engineering drawings  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8967  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  7469  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9007  Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8964  Write for a defined context  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  9823  Perform basic life support and/or first aid procedures in emergencies  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  12334  Conduct water process laboratory tests  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  12070  Operate a rapid gravity filtration process  Level 4  NQF Level 04 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.