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

Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water flow 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254121  Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water flow 
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  10 
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
14023  Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water flow  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will be able to explain the flow characteristics of water in a water reticulation system. This competency will enable the learner to describe negative influences affecting water flow in pipelines, explain pressure and flow measuring devices and calculate water flows accurately. This competence will equip the learner with knowledge that contributes to personal development, which will enhance employability of the qualifying learner in both the water sector and other related jobs. 

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 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Water flow includes water and wastewater flow in pipes and channels.
  • Characteristics of water flow: volume, pressure/vacuum, flow rate, gravity/head.
  • Measuring devices Water meters (standard), magnetic flow meters, ultra-sonic flow meters, pitot tubes, rotameters, positive displacement pumps, and pressure gauges. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the characteristics of water flow. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Volume in a water reticulation system is explained and the units of measurement are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Flow rate, velocity and cross-sectional area in a water reticulation system are explained and the units of measurement are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Pressure/vacuum in a water reticulation system is explained and the units of measurement are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Gravity/head in a water reticulation system is explained and the units of measurement are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe negative influences affecting water flow in pipelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Airlock in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cavitation in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Water hammer in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain flow characteristics in the design of a water reticulation system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The application of water flow characteristics in a water reticulation system design is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Design features to prevent negative influences occurring in a water reticulation system are described and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain flow and pressure measuring devices and calculate water flows. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Flow and pressure measuring devices are identified and described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Open channel flow measurement systems are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Flow and pressure measuring devices are read and recorded accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Water flows are accurately calculated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Problems are identified and appropriate solutions are explained. 


    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:
  • The importance of accurate calculations.
  • The balancing of pressure and volume.
  • The purpose of balancing water flow.
  • Break pressure tanks.
  • Contour plans.
  • Physical properties of water.
  • The principles of buoyancy.
  • Flow rates (steady and unsteady).
  • Inertia.
  • Principles of energy. 
    		•

    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 is related to:
  • Airlock in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained.
  • Cavitation in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained.
  • Water hammer in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained.
  • Design features to prevent negative influences occurring in a water reticulation system are described and explained. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. This relates to:
  • Airlock in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained.
  • Cavitation in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained.
  • Water hammer in a water reticulation system is described and its causes, effects and remedies are explained.
  • Design features to prevent negative influences occurring in a water reticulation system are described and explained. 
    		•

    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 all Assessment Criteria. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. This relates to:
  • Flow and pressure measuring devices are identified and described.
  • Open channel flow measurement systems are described.
  • Flow and pressure measuring devices are read and recorded accurately.
  • Water flows are accurately calculated. 
    		•

    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.
  • The application of water flow characteristics in a water reticulation system design is explained.
  • Design features to prevent negative influences occurring in a water reticulation system are described and explained. 
    		•

    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 14023, "Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water flow", Level 4, 10 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 or observation.
  • Product sample calculations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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 
    Core  61709   Further Education and Training Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Control Supervision  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.