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: 

Supervise and optimise the operation of separation processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115957  Supervise and optimise the operation of separation 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 4  NQF Level 04  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2007-05-15  2008-06-11  SAQA 0160/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-06-11   2012-06-11  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
255976  Supervise and optimise the operation of separation processes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard in combination with context expertise standard(s) will be able to supervise the operation of the separation processes and make decisions related to optimising the purification process. This competence will enable the learner to explain the principles of separation processes, calculate load factors, evaluate the design and functioning of different processes and remove different contaminants. This will contribute to the cost effectiveness and efficiency of a water treatment plant and the sustainable provision of potable water to consumers. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the efficiency of the qualifying learner and advance his / her own expertise, skills and employability in the water sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Mathematical calculations at NQF level 3 including fractions, percentages and ratios; Literacy NQF level 3; Knowledge of the principles and operation of flocculation, coagulation, filtration, stabilisation, disinfection, clarification and separation. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Separation processes
  • Settling, clarification, dissolved air flotation (DAF) and filtration

    Contaminants
  • Unacceptable levels of colour, suspended solids, colloidal particles, iron, manganese, hardness, dissolved salts (e.g. fluoride and nitrate), algae and organic matter.

    Clarifiers
  • Vertical flow, horizontal flow and radial flow.

    Clarifier components
  • Inlet, outlet, desludge valves, sludge hopper and other associated mechanical equipment.

    External factors
  • pH, temperature, dissolved solids, shelf life and quality of chemicals

    Other relevant parameters
  • Polluting substances that can be measured. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the principles of separation processes and calculate load factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different separation processes are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of energy gradient ("G-value") is explained with reference to a flash mixer, baffled canal or spiral flocculator. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The concepts of settling rate and rise rate are explained and the rise rate for a clarifier on the plant is calculated accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concept of weir overflow rate is explained and the weir overflow rate for a clarifier on the plant is calculated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The concept of sludge density for a clarifier is explained and determined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The sludge load is accurately calculated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain and evaluate the performance of different separation processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The design of various clarifiers is described and their components are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of a sludge blanket is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The removal of particles within a filter bed is explained and the breakthrough of suspended solids is discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The performance of own site separation processes are evaluated against design capacity and standard design criteria. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate the removal of different contaminants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The origin of contaminants is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The process for the removal of each contaminant is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect of external factors is described in relation to the chemicals that are to be used for the removal of each contaminant. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Supervise the operation of separation processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The operation of separation processes is monitored, evaluated, problem are identified and appropriate corrective action is taken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Water loss is calculated, evaluated and monitored. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The performance of the separation processes is monitored and evaluated and appropriate corrective action is taken. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Optimise the operation of separation processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The turbidity and other relevant parameters at own plant of feed and treated water are monitored and recorded. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Water quality within the various process steps is maintained within work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Chemical dosages are calculated and dosing rates are adjusted when required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Sludge volumes are controlled and levels are maintained in accordance with works procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Solids load on the separation process is calculated and cleaning intervals are determined in accordance with the design capacity and water quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Filter backwash procedure is monitored and evaluated for effectiveness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Problems are identified and appropriate corrective action is taken. 


    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 
  • Principles of separation processes
  • Principles of particle stabilisation and floc growth.
  • Definition of contaminants in accordance with SABS 241 (latest version) and DWAF guidelines.
  • Chemicals for the removal of contaminants.
  • Process design principles of clarification and dissolved air flotation (DAF).
  • Different methods of cleaning backwashing filters.
  • Concept, calculation and acceptable values of energy gradient.
  • Equipment used for determining contaminants such as turbidity meters, particle counters and comparators.
  • The concept of clarification and separation.
  • The shelf life of chemicals and quality of chemicals when delivered on site(e.g. specific gravity). 
    		•

    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 performance of the separation processes is monitored and evaluated and appropriate corrective action is taken.
  • Problems are identified and appropriate corrective action is taken. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • All 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • The operation of separation processes is monitored, evaluated, problem are identified and appropriate corrective action is taken.
  • Water quality within the various process steps is maintained within work procedures. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • The performance of own site separation processes are evaluated against design capacity and standard design criteria.
  • The performance of the separation processes is monitored and evaluated and appropriate corrective action is taken. 
    		•

    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 origin of contaminants is explained.
  • The effect of external factors is described in relation to the chemicals that are to be used for the removal of each contaminant.
  • The turbidity and other relevant parameters at own plant of feed and treated water are monitored and recorded.
  • Water quality within the various process steps is maintained within work procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 255976 which is "Supervise and optimise the operation of separation processes", Level 4, 8 credits.

    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 among 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
  • Direct observation or simulation
  • Evaluation of records and calculations

    Definition:
    Separation processes in this context are considered to be those processes in water treatment, which remove suspended material from the water. Examples include settling or clarification, flotation and filtration. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48910   Further Education and Training Certificate: Water Purification Processes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    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.
     
    1. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 


    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.