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 a biological trickling filter 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246445  Operate a biological trickling filter 
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 2  NQF Level 02  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
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
12046  Operate a biofilter  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner completing this unit standard will be able to operate and maintain a biological trickling filter in accordance with work procedures to ensure a good quality effluent. This will contribute towards the effective and efficient operation of the wastewater works.

Learners credited with this unit standard are capable of:
  • Explaining the operation of a biological trickling filter process.
  • Monitoring and controlling a biological trickling filter.
  • Applying methods to maintain a biological trickling filter.
  • Collating data for biological trickling filters. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners already competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Work operating procedures:

    Flow:
  • Influent, effluent, recycle.

    Reports:
  • Reports include but are not limited to fault reports, breakages, pump hours, repairs, and/or maintenance.

    Irregularities:
  • Odours and/or colour change and ponding.

    Major breakages:
  • Pump break down, motor burn out, seized bearings, seized filter arm etc. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the operation of a biological trickling filter process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key terminologies in relation to biological trickling filter process are identified and described in terms of their application. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terminologies refer but are not limited to zooglea, psycoda flies, media stones, ponding aerobic/anaerobic, nitrification, rotating arms and launders.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A biological trickling filter is identified and described using schematic representation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Components of a biological trickling filter are labelled in accordance with their functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Functions of biological trickling filter are explained using a schematic diagram or flow chart. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Factors affecting biological trickling filter processes are identified and described in terms of their influences. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors refer but are not limited to hydraulic and organic load; septicity, complexity, toxicity, malfunctioning of biological trickling filter.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Monitor and control a biological trickling filter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge of organic and hydraulic load is demonstrated with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Knowledge of the recycling process is demonstrated with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Even distribution on filter media is checked to determine malfunctioning. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Malfunctioning refers to blocked nozzles, air vent blockages and staywires.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The significance of the dosing siphon is explained using a schematic diagram. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The significance of a stable psychoda fly population is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply methods to maintain a biological trickling filter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons of maintaining a biological trickling filter are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ponding on biological trickling filter is reported for corrective action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods of maintaining a biological trickling filter are identified and explained in accordance with work procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods refer but are not limited to flushing surface media, removing weeds and debris, cleaning and adjusting distribution arms and turning over of the surface media with hand tools.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Malfunctioning of a biological trickling filter are identified and recorded for reporting purposes for corrective action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Malfunctioning includes but is not limited to equipment failure, blockages, leakages, distribution failure and short circuiting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Procedures for de-commissioning and re-commissioning are explained to ensure safe operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Procedures include and are not limited to work permit and lockout procedures.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Collate data for biological trickling filters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Data to be collated is identified and described in terms of operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Data refers to but not limited to reading and recording the flow including recycle flow and pump amps and pumping hours.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Log sheets are completed in accordance with working procedures. 


    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:
  • Importance of following relevant work policies and procedures.
  • Pump operations.
  • Hand tools (e.g spade, fork).
  • Blockages and leakages.
  • Hygiene and safety practices.
  • Wastewater processes (e.g flow diagrams, different stages).
  • Observation of processes.
  • Reporting structures.
  • The final effluent and disposal/recycle options.
  • Health risks of working with wastewater.
  • Purpose of psychoda flies and micro organisms.
  • Chemical addition procedures. 
    		•

    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 by applying corrective methods to fix a malfunctioning biological trickling factor. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group by following procedures when de-commissioning and re-commissioning. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively by following working instructions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to flows in the pumps. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation to report to immediate supervisors in relation to work undertaken in accordance with organisational requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by applying the correct methods of dealing with malfunctioning incidents. 

    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 in relation to pumps. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 12046, "Operate a biofilter", Level 2, 5 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 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
    Elective  58951   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    Elective  60190   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Process Control  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. ATTI NELSPRUIT (PTY) LTD 
    2. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    3. DR HE MAEPA INSTITUTE 
    4. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    5. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    6. K-BONENG CONSULTING SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
    7. Kelvin Power (Pty) Ltd 
    8. NTANDOKAZI HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD 
    9. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    10. URSIVOX (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.