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

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the wastewater treatment process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246460  Demonstrate basic knowledge of the wastewater 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
12034  Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose of a wastewater treatment works  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard introduces the learner to the basic source of wastewater. The learner will be able to explain the elements of wastewater treatment works as well as the purpose of the wastewater treatment. This competence will enable the learner to understand the wastewater treatment process and his/her role in the process. This competence will enable the learner to work effectively in both rural and urban wastewater treatment works. This will contribute towards the smooth running of the wastewater treatment works and the sustainability of the environment.

Person credited with this unit will be competent in:
  • Explaining the properties of water and water contaminants.
  • Explaining different sources of wastewater Identifying and describe the steps of the wastewater treatment process.
  • Explaining different types of sanitation systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The learner must know all of the range.

    Legislation:
  • National Water Act

    Sources of wastewater:
  • Domestic effluent, (water-borne, septic tank, conservancy tank, night soil, pit latrine sludge, chemical toilets and storm water and Industrial effluent, mining and agriculture effluent.

    Personal protective equipment:
  • Overalls, gloves, gumboots, safety shoes, mask.

    Hazards:
  • Hazardous gases including methane gas, chlorine and Hydrogen Sulphate (H2S); moving machinery, electrical equipment, confined spaces, buoyancy in aeration basin. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the properties of water and water contaminants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Physical properties of water are identified and explained in terms of its their attributes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different forms of contaminants are identified and explained using examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different forms of contaminants refer to but are not limited to dissolved, settleable and suspended water contaminants.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose of wastewater treatment is described in the context of the removal of the contaminants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The objectives of wastewater treatment are identified and explained in relation to legislative requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain different sources of wastewater. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Different sources of wastewater refer to but are not limited to domestic, industrial, mining and agriculture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Constituents of domestic wastewater are identified and listed in terms of their origin. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Constituents refer to but are not limited to toilets, bath water, sullage water and laundry washing water.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Constituents of industrial wastewater are identified and listed in terms of their origin. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Constituents of industrial wastewater refer to but are not limited to oily or grease fractions, toxic chemicals and coloured effluents.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Constituents of mining wastewater are identified and listed in terms of their origin. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Constituents refer to but are not limited to toxic chemicals and coloured leacheate.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Constituents of agricultural wastewater are identified and listed in terms of their origin. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Constituents of agricultural wastewater refer to but are not limited to nutrients, herbicides and pesticides.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and describe the steps of the wastewater treatment process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process of self-purification is explained as it occurs in rivers and streams in the different zones of purification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A flow diagram is drawn to reflect the different steps of the wastewater treatment process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different steps refer to but are not limited to preliminary (screens, grit channels) primary (sedimentation), secondary (biological treatment, trickling filters or activate sludge) tertiary (filtration, chlorination and maturation rivers or ponds).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The different stages in each step are identified and listed in terms of their functions to remove wastewater contaminants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Outputs of each stage are identified and described in terms of their names. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Outputs refer to but are not limited to screenings and grit, primary sludge and effluent, secondary sludge and effluent, final effluent and sludge for disposal.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain different types of sanitation systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The waterborne sewage sanitation system is identified and explained in terms its operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sanitation system refers to on-site and off-site such as sewerage networks, septic tanks and conservancy tanks.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Non water borne sewage sanitation systems are identified and explained in terms of their operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Non water borne sanitation systems refer to pit latrines, urine diversion toilets, composting toilets and chemical toilets.
     


    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:
  • National legislation related to a wastewater treatment works.
  • Mining.
  • Agriculture.
  • Industries including but are not limited to food processing, textiles, tanneries and ceramics. 
    		•

    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 wastewater treatment in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others to explain the physical properties of water in terms of their attributes. 

    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 regarding the self purification process in rivers. 

    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 12034, "Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose of a wastewater treatment works", Level 1, 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.
  • Simulation. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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.