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 inlet works 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246468  Operate inlet works 
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  5 
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
12038  Operate inlet works  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will be able to operate an inlet works to ensure optimal functioning of the works. In acquiring this competence the qualifying learner will lay a good foundation for future learning and action, and better understand the broader context of own work. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the employability of the qualifying learner on a wastewater treatment works.

Person credited with this unit will be competent in:
  • Planning work according to inlet flow and the occurrence of rain and pollution.
  • Removing and disposing screenings.
  • Explaining the reasons for use of storm water and bypass weirs.
  • Disposing grit from inlet works.
  • Recording flow measurement in inlet works.
  • Identifying and report equipment and structural defects.
  • Monitoring influent to detect pollution. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Work policies and procedures:
  • Best operating procedures.

    Legislation: Current:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act, No 85 of 1993.
  • National Water Act. No.36 1998.

    Screens:
  • Manual rakes screens or mechanically raked screens.

    Inlet works:
  • Grit removal, screenings, flow management and storm overflow.

    Information: Reports. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan work according to inlet flow and the occurrence of rain and pollution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Instructions on how to deal with inlet flows are identified and explained in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A work plan is drawn to indicate timeframe frequencies required to clean, remove grit and screenings. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Remove and dispose screenings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Techniques to remove and dispose screenings are identified and described in terms of their uses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Techniques refer to but are not limited to mechanical and/or manual operating methods.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Screens are raked in terms of operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Screenings are washed in accordance with works procedures in order to return faecal matter to influent. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Manual and/or mechanical techniques are used to clean the screens. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Screenings are disposed in accordance with organisational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Organisational requirements include but are not limited to burying, incineration and maceration.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The way in which the screening area is washed to keep it clean and odour free is described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Volumes of screenings are noted/recorded for reporting purposes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the reasons for use of storm water and bypass weirs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of cleaning storm water and bypass weir is explained in terms of operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools to clean storm-water and bypass weirs are identified and described in terms of their uses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools refer to rake and hand-held implements.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Dispose of grit from inlet works. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of grit removal from inlet works is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Grit is removed using manual and/or mechanical mechanisms to eliminate blockages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Grit removal and disposal methods are identified and described with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Grit disposal methods include but are not limited to on or off-site disposal and burying. Grit removal refers to constant velocity channels, tanks with spiral currents/aerated systems.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Grit is disposed of in accordance with precautionary measures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Precautionary measures refer to the application of lime to prevent fly breeding and odour.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Volumes of grit are identified and recorded for reporting purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Grit removal methods are applied to prevent wear of mechanically moving plant and reduce the accumulation of grit in the digesters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Equipment used for degritting is identified and described for housekeeping purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment refers to but is not limited to spades, wheelbarrows, airlift pumps.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Record flow measurement in inlet works. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of flow measuring devices are identified and listed in terms of their features and working principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different types of flow measuring devices include but are not limited to ultrasonic, float, magnetic flow meters, V-Notch and bubbler tube.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reasons for measuring inlet flows are identified and described in order to determine works capacity required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A flow chart is changed in accordance with operational instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Different methods to clean a flow sensor are identified, listed and described in accordance with operating instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Average daily flow is calculated using a subtraction technique at a specific time. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Reasons for recording extreme variations in flow are described for recording purposes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Identify and report equipment and structural defects. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Equipment and structural defects refer to failure of mechanical screens to operate, loose bars and screens, failure of grit removal device, valves, pipes, pumps and sluice gates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Failures that relate to equipment and structural defects are identified and described for reporting purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Failures may refer to blockages, tripping, vibrations, structural cracks and pipe or valve leakage.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reporting procedures in relation equipment and structural defects are identified and explained in accordance with working procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Emergency stop procedure are explained and demonstrated with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Emergency stop procedure refers to stop button(s).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The difference between emergency stop procedure and isolation procedure is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Monitor influent to detect pollution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Monitoring methods for abnormalities in the influent are identified and described in terms of their pollution context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Monitoring methods refer to observation including visual and smelling.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Odours and colour changes in the sewage are noted/recorded, sampled and reported in accordance with organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Floating materials in the influent are identified and reported for corrective action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Floating materials refer to but are not limited to fats, oil and greases.
     


    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:
  • Relevant work policies and procedures.
  • Relevant sections of OHS ACT and the National Water Act.
  • The steps to follow if odours are noted.
  • The steps to follow if storm water overflow occurs.
  • The importance of removing screenings and grit and the consequences of not doing this.
  • The wastewater treatment process.
  • Health risks of working with wastewater.
  • Principles of the flow meter.
  • The importance of reporting open wounds before starting work.
  • Procedures for accepting tanker effluent.
  • Procedure to bypass flow. 
    		•

    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 correct methods to remove screening and dispose grit from inlet works as well as blockage elimination. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community by participating effectively in carrying out joint work with others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively by prioritising tasks and implementing them according to schedule. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to precautionary measures to be taken when disposing grit. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation by demonstrating understanding on instructions on how to deal with inlet flows. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by following work procedures dispose screenings and grit. 

    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 and engage effectively with the disposal of screenings and grit from inlet works. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • Assessment competencies that can also be established by recognition of prior learning.
  • Assessors must have subject matter experience of at least two years in the field.
  • Assessors must be registered in terms of the requirements of SAQA and the appropriate ETQA. 
    		•

    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 12038, "Operate inlet works", 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.
  • Product sample reports. 
    		•

    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 


    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.