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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Monitor and control the mechanisms and processes of sludge thickening, dewatering and drying 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117008  Monitor and control the mechanisms and processes of sludge thickening, dewatering and drying 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
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 manage, control and demonstrate knowledge of sludge thickening, dewatering and drying processes. This competence will enable the learner to understand the integration of these processes within the overall operation of a wastewater works. This knowledge will contribute towards the protection of the environment in accordance with legislation and regulations. The achievement of this unit standard will expand the skills base of the qualifying learner, make the person more effective in his/her tasks and more employable in the sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Knowledge of wastewater treatment, mathematical calculations NQF level 4, literacy and communication NQF level 4 or equivalent. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Dewatering process: Belt press, centrifuge and a filter press.
  • Conditioning chemical: Inorganic materials or chemicals added to sludge to facilitate dewatering.
  • Waste streams: Filtrate, centrate, DAF under flow, gravity thickener supernatant, drying bed under flow
  • Alternative mechanical thickening equipment: Linear screen, centrifuge.
  • Sludge sterilisation process: Pasteurisation, composting, high lime treatment, thermal drying to process conform to bacteriological quality of a type D Sludge as set out in the Addendum to the Guideline on Permissible Utilisation and Disposal of Sewage Sludge, Edition 1 (July 2002).
  • Sludge drying process: Thermal drying, drying beds.
  • Alternative dosing arrangements: Dry powder feeders, liquid feeders, associated mixing arrangements.
  • Sludge characteristics: Dewaterability and microbiological content.
  • Chemical disinfection: Line addition.
  • Sludge heat treatment process: Pelletisation.
  • Thickening processes: Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and gravity. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe and monitor the sludge thickening process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Thickening equipment is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The efficiency of the thickening equipment is calculated accurately with respect to empirical design criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Common problems and solutions of the thickening process and equipment are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The performance of one thickening process is monitored and evaluated, problems are identified and appropriate action is taken based on evaluation and workplace procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe and monitor sludge dewatering process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Dewatering equipment is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The efficiency of the dewatering process is calculated accurately with empirical design criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The performance of one dewatering process is monitored and evaluated, problems are identified and appropriate action is taken based on evaluation and workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Selection of dosage rate and conditioning chemical is explained and monitored. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Common problems of dewatering equipment are identified and appropriate solutions are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe and monitor sludge drying processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sludge drying processes are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The efficiency of the drying process is calculated with respect to empirical design criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Common problems of drying processes are identified and appropriate solutions are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The performance of a sludge drying bed is monitored and evaluated, problems are identified and appropriate action is taken based on evaluation and workplace procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe and monitor the chemical dosing processes in the thickening, dewatering and drying of sludges. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The addition of inorganic chemicals to modify sludge characteristics is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The addition of organic polymers to sludge is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The chemical disinfection of sludge is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Alternative dosage arrangements are evaluated including the benefits, problems of each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Sludge heat treatment processes are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the effect of filtrate and centrate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The characteristics of filtrate and centrate are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The loading rates of filtrate and centrate are measured and calculated and their impact on the receiving process within the works is identified together with the effect of malfunction in the thickening and dewatering processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Treatment options of filtrate and centrate 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 
    Learners should have a knowledge and understanding of:
  • Wastewater treatment processes.
  • Pumps, sludge thickening, dewatering and drying equipment
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
  • Sludge sterilisation.
  • Sludge disposal guidelines. 
    		•

    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: 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 2.5, 3.3, and 3.4 

    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: All. 

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

    Assessment criteria: 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 2.5, 3.3, and 3.4 

    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: All. 

    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 commonalties that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59201   National Certificate: Generic Management  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.