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: 

Operate and Maintain Water Reticulation System 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12340  Operate and Maintain Water Reticulation System 
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  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2005-02-09  2008-02-09  SAQA 1058/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-02-09   2012-02-09  

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 undertake specific maintenance, water loss control and operational tasks on a water reticulation system. This competence will enable the learner to identify safety risks, implement safety procedures, identify the cause and scope of the breakdown in the water reticulation system and carry out repairs and preventative maintenance tasks. This competence will contribute towards the effective operation of water supply services to communities. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the efficiency of the qualifying learner and advance his / her own expertise and employability in water and other related sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Knowledge of pipes, associated fittings, valves and meters NQF level 2; Read and Interpret maps and engineering drawings (NQF level 2; Apply personal safety practices NQF level 2. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Personal safety clothing: As laid down in work procedures.
Safety equipment: As laid down in work procedures.
Breakdowns: Damage to all types, classes and sizes of pipes, associated fittings, valves and meters.
Preventative maintenance: Clean/check chambers and boxes, check legibility procedures of markings, check pipeline components for vandalism, tampering and corrosion, check for evidence of leaks.
Tools and equipment: Tools and equipment associated with the tasks.
Legislation: OHS Act
Records and reports: Job cards, sundry records, incident reports, accident reports, meter reading records. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Identify safety risks and implement safety procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1.Safety risks are identified and appropriate action is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2.Personal safety clothing and safety equipment is used in accordance with legislation. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3.Safety equipment is maintained in good working order. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4.Appropriate steps for damaged safety equipment are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1.Problem reports are analysed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2.Response is initiated in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3.The location of the problem is determined on the engineering drawing or map. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4.The problem is located on site using detection equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5.The problem is inspected and its cause and scope assessed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6.Appropriate action is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Respond to problems on the water reticulation system in accordance with code of practice 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1.Relevant resources are available on site. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2.Team is briefed on safety procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3.System is shut down and scoured. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4.Damaged area is excavated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5.Repairs are effected. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6.System is charged and checked for visible leaks. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7.Trench is backfilled. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1.Assignment authority is obtained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2.Locations of scheduled tasks are identified on engineering drawing or map. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3.Tasks are planned. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4.Team is briefed and tasks are allocated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5.Preventative maintenance tasks are completed in accordance with work polices and procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6.Problems are identified, scope is determined and problem is reported to the relevant person. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Follow standard operating procedures for the measurement of water 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1.Meter reading list is obtained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2.Bulk and zonal meter sequences are checked against flow diagram. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3.Bulk and zonal meters are located on the engineering drawing. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4.Meter reading and data logging procedures are planned and priorities are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5.Meters to be read are correctly identified and located, and meter numbers verified. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6.Meters are read correctly, data is recorded and submitted. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7.Data loggers are operated in accordance with procedures and instructions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8.Data loggers are submitted to relevant persons. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9.Problems are identified and correctly recorded or reported. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Use and care for tools and equipment in accordance with work policies and procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1.Prescribed tools and equipment are available on site. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2.Tools and equipment are in good working order. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3.Tools and equipment are used safely. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4.Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked and stored after use. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5.Appropriate steps for damaged tools and equipment are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Complete and submit records and reports. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1.Records are maintained accurately. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2.Reports are prepared accurately. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3.Records and reports are submitted to relevant persons. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
1.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.
2.Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
3.Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
4.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:

1.Work policies and procedures.
2.Code of practice.
3.Importance of following work policies and procedures and codes of practice.
4.Importance of interpreting engineering drawings.
5.Principles of airlock and water hammer.
6.Impact of different soil types and conditions on excavation procedures.
7.Conditions where excavated sand may be used for bedding purposes.
8.OHS Act.
9.Repair situations where a shutdown is not required.
10.Importance of preventative maintenance.
11.Purpose of meter readings and data logging.
12.The requirements of effective team leadership. 


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:


1.Identify safety risks and implement safety procedures.

2.Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system.

3.Respond to problems on the water reticulation system in accordance with code of practice.

4.Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures.

6.Use and care for tools and equipment in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

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


1.Identify safety risks and implement safety procedures.

2.Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system.

3.Respond to problems on the water reticulation system in accordance with code of practice.

4.Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures.

5.Follow standard operating procedures for the measurement of water.

6.Use and care for tools and equipment in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
1.Identify safety risks and implement safety procedures.


1.Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system.

2.Plan, organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

4.Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures.

5.Follow standard operating procedures for the measurement of water. 

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


2.Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system.

3.Respond to problems on the water reticulation system in accordance with code of practice.

4.Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures.

5.Follow standard operating procedures for the measurement of water.

7.Complete and submit records and reports. 

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


1.Identify safety risks and implement safety procedures.

2.Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system.

3.Respond to problems on the water reticulation system in accordance with code of practice.

4.Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures.

5.Follow standard operating procedures for the measurement of water.

6.Use and care for tools and equipment in accordance with work policies and procedures.

7.Complete and submit records and reports. 

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

2.Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system.

3.Respond to problems on the water reticulation system in accordance with code of practice.

4.Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures.

5.Follow standard operating procedures for the measurement of water. 

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.


1.Identify safety risks and implement safety procedures.

2.Identify cause and scope of breakdown to water reticulation system.

4.Conduct preventative maintenance procedures in accordance with work policies and procedures.

5.Follow standard operating procedures for the measurement of water. 

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
Direct observation
Product sample reports and records 

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
  ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core  23475   National Certificate: Water Reticulation Services  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2023-06-30  EWSETA 
Elective  60155   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
2. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
3. ERWAT 
4. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
5. K-BONENG CONSULTING SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
6. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
7. THOBOLOGO TRAINING & EDUCATION GROUP 



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.