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: 

Maintain water quality parameters 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116212  Maintain water quality parameters 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 learner achieving this unit standard will be able to maintain water quality and adjust systems to ensure appropriate water quality. In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of agriculture and water management.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in maintenance of water quality and will be able to operate in an animal and plant production environment implementing sustainable and economically viable production principles.

They will be capacitated to gain access to the mainstream agricultural sector, in animal and plant production, impacting directly on the sustainability of the sub-sector. The improvement in production technology will also have a direct impact on the improvement of agricultural productivity of the sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 2: Monitor Water Quality.
  • NQF 2: Operate and support a food safety and quality management system in the agricultural supply chain.
  • NQF 2: Apply sustainable farming practices to conserve the ecological environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Read, record and interpret certain parameters and abnormalities in water quality. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    This will include but is not limited to physical factors, temperature, chemical factors (dissolved gasses), pH, biological processes (photosynthesis, nitrogen cycle, decomposition), organic load, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding of the effects of certain physical factors of water and relate and apply them to a relevant specie of animal or plant requiring water are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to sample, read and record factors accurately is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An understanding of the effects of certain chemical factors is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    General knowledge of biological processes of animals and plants, which relate to specific physical and chemical quality factors in water are demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of critical control points in water quality management. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding of the water quality requirements and acceptable ranges of a relevant animal or plant species is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to make comparisons and to explain and interpret recorded readings of water quality measurements is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An ability to explain the physical, chemical and biological requirements and recall acceptable physical and chemical ranges of a relevant animal or plant species are demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Enable corrective action to occur on certain operational systems that control specific physical and chemical factors in water and relate it to a specific organism's water quality requirement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding of the working of water quality management systems is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to adjust and maintain water quality management systems and equipment is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to record and communicating findings on the maintenance of water quality and water quality management systems is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Ensure that quality assurance systems related to water quality are in place and maintained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of quality management systems is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Quality management systems include but are not limited to systems such as GAP, TQM, and QES.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Quality management systems with regarding to the supply of water to living plant and animal organisms is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Improvements regarding water supply and quality systems is recommended. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard 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. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Names and functions of all the various components of water supply and quality systems.
  • Attributes of water related to water quality.
  • The requirements of organisms related to their water need.
  • The purposes of maintaining relevant water quality for living organisms.
  • Measurement and recording technique.
  • Water purification techniques and systems.
  • Relevant legislation related to the feeding and care of living organisms.
  • Relevant legislation related to water use and environmental issues.
  • Interpersonal skills related to communication.
  • Sensory and documented cues related to water quality.
  • Sensory cues related to the water requirements and use of water by living organisms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Team Work: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self Management: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting information: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and Technology: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self development: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49048   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  49052   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  66429   National Certificate: Landscape Irrigation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    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. Ankholani Agricultural Primary Cooperative Limited 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    4. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    5. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    6. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    7. Fantique Trade 664 Cc 
    8. Heedmorine Training 
    9. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    10. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    11. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    12. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    13. Maishamalema Development Training 
    14. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    15. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    16. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    17. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    18. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    19. Mvelo Consultant 
    20. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    21. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    22. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    23. Setlakala Business Development 
    24. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    25. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    26. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    27. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    28. Tripple R Training Provider 
    29. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    30. Westco Agri Training 


    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.