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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater treatment processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115901  Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater treatment processes 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Water Sector 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard in combination with context expertise standard(s) will be able to explain the wastewater treatment process, the equipment used in each process and the disposal of solids. This competence will enable the learner to identify the elements of the treatment process on a wastewater treatment works. This will facilitate the understanding of the wastewater treatment process and the effect that effluent transported to the works will have on the works. This knowledge will promote better liaison and communication with the works and enable the learner to work more effectively. This knowledge will contribute towards the sustainability of the water environment and enable the learner to better understand the broader context of own work. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Literacy skills NQF level 2, knowledge of wastewater reticulation systems. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Purpose of a wastewater treatment works
  • Enable direct and indirect re-use, contain the spread of disease, protect the water environment including aquatic life and compliance with legislation

    Elements of wastewater treatment process
  • Treatment processes at the works which could include screens degritters, primary sedimentation, secondary treatment, disinfection, sludge treatment etc.

    Equipment at inlet works
  • Manual and mechanical screens, degritters, flow meters, odour control, storm overflow

    Abnormal inflows
  • Storm water, industrial pollution, sediments, large foreign objects, low flows and septic inflows

    Appropriate solutions
  • Solutions that are relevant to incoming flow

    By products
  • Grit and screenings

    Primary treatment process
  • Primary settling process, scum removal and sludge removal

    Secondary treatment processes
  • Biological filter, Activated sludge, Rotating Biodisc Contactor and oxidation ponds

    Disinfection methods
  • Chlorination, ozonation and ultra violet,

    Methods of drying sludge
  • Belt press and drying beds

    Sludge treatment processes
  • Sludge digestion and sludge dewatering

    Disposal options
  • Incineration, composting, agricultural use, land fill

    Disposal options for grit and screenings
  • Land fill and incineration 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain and identify wastewater treatment processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of wastewater treatment works is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Dissolved water contaminants are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Non-dissolved water contaminants are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principles of wastewater treatment are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A line diagram of a wastewater treatment works is drawn including all the elements of the treatment processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The elements of wastewater treatment processes are identified on site. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify and explain the inlet works. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the inlet works is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The equipment used is identified on site and their purpose is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose of flow measurement and inflow quality monitoring are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effect of abnormal inflows on the inlet works are explained and appropriate solutions are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Bye products from the inlet works are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and explain the primary treatment process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the primary treatment works is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The primary treatment process is explained on site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect of abnormal inflows on the primary treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify and explain the secondary treatment processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of secondary treatment processes is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The secondary treatment processes are explained on site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The differences between conventional and extended aeration activated sludge is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effect of abnormal inflows on the secondary treatment process is explained and appropriate solutions are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Sludge disposal from secondary treatment process is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the disinfection process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of disinfection is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All methods of disinfection are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The equipment used for disinfection on site is identified and their purpose is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Explain the sludge treatment processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sludge treatment processes are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of abnormal inflows on the sludge treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Disposal options for sludge are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Disposal options for grit and screenings are explained. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Wastewater treatment including purpose, elements and equipment.
  • Flow metering.
  • The concept of hydraulic and process design capacity of a treatment works.
  • Impact of poor, faulty wastewater reticulation on wastewater treatment processes.
  • Products from a wastewater treatment plant that are regulated. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.

    Assessment criteria:
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the inlet works are explained and appropriate solutions are described.
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the primary treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described.
  • The differences between conventional and extended aeration activated sludge is explained.
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the sludge treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community.

    Assessment criteria:
  • None 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

    Assessment criteria:
  • None 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Assessment criteria:
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the inlet works are explained and appropriate solutions are described.
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the primary treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described.
  • The differences between conventional and extended aeration activated sludge is explained.
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the sludge treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation.

    Assessment criteria:
  • All 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Assessment criteria:
  • All 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Assessment criteria:
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the inlet works are explained and appropriate solutions are described.
  • The effect of abnormal inflows on the primary treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described.
  • The differences between conventional and extended aeration activated sludge is explained.
    > The effect of abnormal inflows on the sludge treatment process are explained and appropriate solutions are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Integrated Assessment

    When conducting assessments, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the unit standards being assessed. Assessors must ensure that the assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge by developing assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the learners are working. These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment. It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together in an integrated way, thus reducing the overall number of assessments and ensuring that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

    Assessment Option

    Learners could be assessed using the following methods:
  • Oral or written questions
  • Observation 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48905   National Certificate: Wastewater Reticulation Services  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2008-02-19  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.