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

Demonstrate knowledge of hydraulics and flow measurement in water and wastewater systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254076  Demonstrate knowledge of hydraulics and flow measurement in water and wastewater systems 
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" 		 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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of external factors affecting wastewater flows, and flow measurement techniques for wastewater.

This unit standard is for people who supervise maintenance and operations in water reticulation, and people who work in specialist water reticulation activities. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Numeracy and literacy at an appropriate level or open access. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Water reticulation:
  • In this context refers to all pipe systems, pumping systems, and components that contribute to the collection and disposal of wastewater and stormwater.

    CCTV:
  • Closed circuit television. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the hydraulics of a water reticulation system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of pressure is described in terms of static pressure and variation of pressure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Variation of pressure loss and hydraulic grade line are described in terms of flow rate changes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Internal pipe pressure forces are described in terms of anchorage requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Jointing requirements, end caps, bends, anchor blocks, ground loadings.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of pumps is described in terms of the impact on hydraulic gradients. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Sources of pressure losses and hydraulic grade line are described in terms of flow rate changes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the hydraulics of wastewater collection systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The drainage system is described in relation to the natural lie of the land. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Catchment identification, pipe size increases with flow and fall reductions, need to maintain gravity property service, limitations of roading network relative to gradient required.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The capacity of a gravity sewer is described in terms of the fall available, and diameter. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Concept of friction, velocity, surcharge, corrosion.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The velocity in a sewer is described in terms of self cleaning limits. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Deposition of solids, scour velocity, minimum slope required, low flow conditions, flushing flows, flushing techniques, sulphide gas production.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Wastewater pumping stations are described in terms of their impact on system hydraulics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rising mains, pressure concepts, intermittent operation, system head curves against pump pressure, flow curve.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of external factors affecting wastewater flows. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sewer flows are described in terms of design criteria for pipe capacity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flows domestic, commercial, industrial.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sewer flows are described in terms of the reasons for their variability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to diurnal variation related to water use, seasonal variation related to inflow and infiltration, wet weather events.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Inflow, infiltration, and exfiltration are described and distinguished in terms of source and potential causes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Causes include but are not limited to leaking pipe joints, gully traps, manholes, illegal connections; reticulation type-combined, separate.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Excessive infiltration and exfiltration are described in terms of their consequences. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flooding, property damage, wastewater asset damage, public health risks, environmental damage, impact on wastewater treatment.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Methods used to identify, prevent, or reduce inflow, infiltration, and exfiltration is described in terms of their techniques. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Closed circuit television (CCTV), property inspection, smoke testing, dye testing, flow gauging, network modelling, pipe line and manhole rehabilitation, pressure testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA