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

Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater composition, odours, and odour control 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254100  Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater composition, odours, and odour control 
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 4  NQF Level 04  6 
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:
  • Wastewater, and wastewater composition; wastewater source control; the causes of odours, and techniques for minimizing odours in sewers.

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

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Knowledge of pipes, associated fittings, valves and meters. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Water and wastewater. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater, and wastewater composition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Wastewater is described in terms of its general characteristics and reasons for variations of these characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    pH, temperature, suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The presence of microbes in wastewater is described in terms of the potential impact on public health. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bacteria, virus, protozoa.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Wastewater is described in terms of specific characteristics in relation to source types. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Organic kitchen waste, fats, grease, grit, sludge, trade waste chemicals.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater source control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A wastewater source control programme is described in terms of its features. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Three of:
  • Bylaws, monitoring and enforcement programmes, educational and awareness programmes, codes of practice, trade waste charges, pollution prevention plans.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Wastewater source control is described in terms of the reasons for, and methods of implementation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reasons include but are not limited to:
  • Prevent degradation to sewers by aggressive chemicals, minimise risk to public health and sewer maintenance personnel, protect wastewater treatment processes, control polluting effect on environment following treatment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Wastewater sampling is described in terms of laboratory tests, and test requirements for sample quality. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tests include but are not limited to:
  • Faecal coliform count, BOD, COD, chemical composition.

    Test requirements:
  • Identification details, sealing and storage of sample, timing for collection and delivery.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the causes of odours, and techniques for minimising odours in sewers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Odours and odour nuisance are described in terms of the mechanisms which contribute to their occurrence in sewers. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Three of:
  • Sewage retention time, septicity, low flow, flow turbulence, bacterial action, emission points.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Odour generating substances are described in terms of the reasons for their presence. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hydrogen sulphide (sewer gas), mercaptans, volatile organic compounds (solvents), substances generated by bacterial action under anaerobic conditions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Odour management is described in terms of the prevention techniques and treatment systems for minimising or treating odours. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Prevention techniques:
  • Sewer cleaning; liquid treatment-aeration, dosing using hydrogen peroxide, lime, caustic soda, chlorine - evidence is required for two.

    Treatment systems:
  • Toilet vent systems, gully traps, air admittance valves, odour dispersion and dilution via ventilation stacks, chemical and biological additives, odour neutralising liquid or gel dosing systems, activated carbon filters, biofilters, chemical scrubbers, ultra-violet treatment - evidence is required for two.

    Olfactometry is described in terms of the procedures for measuring odour.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge of odours and remedial techniques in wastewater systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The causes of odours in wastewater systems are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic odour groups are described and identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The operation of various odour control systems is explained according to work place policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Techniques to prevent or reduce the generation of odours are described and demonstrated according to work place policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Methods of investigating complaints of odours are demonstrated. 


    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 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:
  • Odours and remedial techniques in wastewater systems.
  • Prevention techniques and treatment systems for minimising or treating odours.
  • Wastewater source control programmes.
  • Wastewater sampling.
  • pH. 
    		•

    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. This relates to:
  • Implementing a wastewater source control programme. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community:
  • The operation of various odour control systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively:
  • Implementing a wastewater source control programme. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. This relates to:
  • Techniques to prevent or reduce the generation of odours. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation. This relates to:
  • Methods of investigating complaints of odours. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others:
  • Wastewater sampling. 
    		•

    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. This relates to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the causes of odours, and techniques for minimising odours in sewers. 
    		•

    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 
    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 or simulation. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  60189   Further Education and Training Certificate: Wastewater and Water Reticulation Services  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    2. EMANZINI STAFFING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    3. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    4. ERWAT 
    5. K-BONENG CONSULTING SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
    6. KGWEBISWANO SUPPLIES & SERVICES 
    7. PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING (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.