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: 

Demonstrate knowledge of the water treatment process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246450  Demonstrate knowledge of the water treatment process 
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  8 
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
12287  Demonstrate knowledge of the water purification process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will be able to explain the elements of the water treatment process and the purpose of the works. This unit standard will provide learners with skills and knowledge to operate the treatment process within the relevant health and safety and legislative guidelines. Learners will be equipped with knowledge that contributes to the learner's personal development, which will enhance employability of the qualifying learner in both the water sector and other related jobs.

Learners credited with this unit standard are capable of:
  • Explaining the water treatment process.
  • Explaining turbidity and the removal of suspended particles from water.
  • Explaining acidity and alkalinity.
  • Explaining the disinfection process.
  • Explaining and interpreting the distribution network.
  • Demonstrating knowledge of water treatment monitoring process. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical literacy NQF Level 1.
  • Interpret basic engineering drawings at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Legislation and Regulations:
  • Water Services Act (108 of 97); Food & Health Act, Environmental Act 73 0f 89, National Water Act.

    Water Quality Standard:
  • SANS 241.

    Waste:
  • Sludge, empty packing materials.

    Registers:
  • Logbooks, incident registers, accident reports.

    Process control tests:
  • Turbidity, pH, residual chlorine. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the water treatment process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Factors affecting the fitness for use are identified and explained in the context of the water treatment process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors refer but are not limited to physical, chemical, organoleptic and microbiological attributes. Fitness for use refers to the five recognised water users, namely, domestic, industrial, recreation, environment and agricultural.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The use of potable water is described in a broader community context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Potable water refers to water that complies with SANS 241 and other water quality guidelines.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Schematic diagram is drawn to illustrate the features of the water treatment plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Elements of the water treatment plant are identified and described in terms of their purposes using a schematic diagram. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain turbidity and the removal of suspended particles from water. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of "turbidity" is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The origins of turbidity are described in order to show how it may be removed chemically. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Measurement and units of turbidity are identified and described as an indication of the clarity of water. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Turbidity removal is illustrated using jar tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Elements of plant used to correct turbidity are identified on flow diagram and their locations on the plant. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain acidity and alkalinity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The difference between acidity and alkalinity is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Acidity, alkalinity are explained in terms of pH. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    pH is measured using different methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different methods refer but not limited to calibrated pH meter, litmus paper, indicator solutions and colour stripes.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the disinfection process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of disinfection is explained in terms of fitness for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment for disinfection is identified and described in terms of its uses and limitations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment refers to but are not limited to chlorinators, UV generators, on-site chlorine generators and ozone generators.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The measurement of disinfectant is explained to maintain correct dosage. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The elements used to disinfect water on water treatment plant are identified and illustrated on a flow diagram. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Elements refer but are not limited to pre-disinfection point, sedimentation, filtration and post-disinfection point.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The purpose of performing micro-biological tests is explained to confirm the effectiveness of disinfection. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain and interpret the distribution network. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A schematic of a distribution network is drawn in terms of its features. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Elements of a distribution network are identified and explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Gravity pipelines and rising main are compared in order to show the difference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Failures in the rising main are identified for corrective action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Failures include bursts and loss of pressure.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Reservoir levels and flows are monitored to ensure constant supply. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Explain sludge handling process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Elements of plant where sludge is produced are identified on flow diagram and located on plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sludge disposal methods are identified and described to limit pollution of the environment for disposal purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sludge disposal methods include but are not limited to sludge lagoons, drying beds, belt presses and centrifuges.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Current legislation relating to the environment is identified and explained in order to ensure compliance for sludge disposal. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Current legislation refers but is not limited to National Water Act, 1998.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Demonstrate knowledge of water treatment monitoring process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of record keeping in relation to sludge disposal process is explained using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Results are collated for future reference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Quality indicators tests are conducted using meters for quality assurance purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Quality indicators refer to but are not limited to turbidity, pH, and chlorine residual.
     


    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:
  • The importance of applying correct working procedures and maintaining quality standards.
  • The importance of the water treatment process.
  • The importance of adhering to the water quality standard.
  • The importance of stabilising water.
  • Current legislation.
  • The importance of disinfection.
  • Waste disposal options.
  • The importance of maintaining registers. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems relating to water treatment in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team by ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation when disposing sludge. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively in order to follow established water treatment monitoring process. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to monitoring results. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others in connection with disinfectants and their correct measurements in terms of dosage. 

    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 by applying the relevant legislation and regulations controlling potable water standards. 

    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 12287, "Demonstrate knowledge of the water purification process", Level 2, 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. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  77163   National Certificate: Industrial Water Treatment Support System Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    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 


    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. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    4. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    5. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    6. 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.