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

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	4
Core	12035	Apply personal safety practices on a wastewater treatment works	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	8494	Demonstrate an understanding of HIV/AIDS and its implications	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	12042	Demonstrate chemical and bacteriological sampling techniques and field tests	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	12037	Demonstrate knowledge of mechanical and electrical equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	12287	Demonstrate knowledge of the water purification process	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Core	12033	Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems and processes	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	12322	Operate coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation processes	Level 2	NQF Level 02	10
Core	12133	Operate pumps	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	12331	Operate The Chlorine Dosing Process	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
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	3
Core	12036	Orientate self in the workplace	Level 2	NQF Level 02	6
Fundamental	8963	Access and use information from texts	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
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	3
Fundamental	7480	Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Fundamental	8962	Maintain and adapt oral communication	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
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	3
Fundamental	9882	Read and interpret basic engineering drawings	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Fundamental	8967	Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Fundamental	7469	Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life	Level 2	NQF Level 02	2
Fundamental	9007	Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Fundamental	8964	Write for a defined context	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	9823	Perform basic life support and/or first aid procedures in emergencies	Level 1	NQF Level 01	5
Elective	12334	Conduct water process laboratory tests	Level 2	NQF Level 02	6
Elective	7547	Operate a personal computer system	Level 2	NQF Level 02	6
Elective	12070	Operate a rapid gravity filtration process	Level 4	NQF Level 04	5

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.

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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.

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