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: 

Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater pipe unblocking and maintenance 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254054  Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater pipe unblocking and maintenance 
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  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 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will be able to contribute the following skills and knowledge to the wastewater reticulation services industry:
  • Describe the purpose and nature of wastewater collection systems.
  • Describe the types of and components of wastewater collection systems.
  • Clear a blockage within a wastewater collection system.
  • Carry out access chamber maintenance procedures.
  • Describe the causes of blockages within wastewater collection systems.
  • Describe the equipment and techniques available for clearing blockages, and preventative maintenance.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater overflow management and clean-up procedures. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • NQF Level 2 unit standards related to the use of tools and equipment as well as safety; and Literacy appropriate at this level.
  • NQF Level 2 unit standard: Deal with safety, health and environmental emergencies in the workplace. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Legislation:
  • Current and relevant occupational health and safety legislation act and regulations.

    Safety signs and symbols:
  • Identify a minimum of three (3) information, three (3) instruction, three (3) fire prevention and three (3) warning signs and symbols.

    Safety emergency situations:
  • Fire prevention and evacuation, personal safety actions, rescue.

    Personal protective equipment:
  • Overalls/overalls suitable for working with chlorine, gloves, gumboots, safety shoes, mask, gas mask, acid resistant boots, face shield. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the purpose and nature of wastewater collection systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of wastewater collection systems is described in terms of protection of public health. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Wastewater is described in terms of domestic and industrial wastewater characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to use of water as carrier, non-water options for toilet wastes, 'grey' and 'black' waters, trade/industrial waste.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the types of and components of wastewater collection systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Components, pipes, manholes, rising mains, sand and oil traps, grease traps, siphons, pump stations, rodding eyes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of wastewater collection systems are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pit latrines, bucket system, urine diversion systems, small bore systems, septic/french drain ,conservancy tanks, water borne, vacuum system, sea outfalls.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sources of domestic and industrial wastewater are described in terms of the quantities and qualities of the wastewater. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Quantity - domestic flows, peak flows, storm water infiltration, industrial flows; quality - concentration of pollutants in domestic water, pollutants in industrial wastewater.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Property drainage systems are described in terms of their component parts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sink/bath/shower/hand basin/toilet fittings and connections, air venting, vent valves, grease traps, back and terminal vents, water traps, odour traps, inspection points, cleaning points, boundary traps, connections to sewers, communal drains.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Wastewater pumping stations are described in terms of their design features. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Wet well options, dry well options, pump types and layouts, delivery pipework, level operation devices and alarms, covers, electrical supply and cabling, stand-by provisions, duty and stand-by pumps, facilities for maintenance cleaning, telemetery.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Wastewater treatment plants are described in terms of type and general considerations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environmental considerations; plants - primary, secondary, tertiary; discharges to - land, streams, rivers, lakes, sea; dilution criteria; resource consents, monitoring.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Clear a blockage within a wastewater collection system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A blockage is cleared allowing for clearance of backed up sewage flow, and material removed and disposed of in accordance with organizational and job requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rodding, jetting, drag winching and excavation or replacement.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Carry out access chamber maintenance procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An access chamber cover is fitted to match the surface of a road or similar in accordance with job requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Setting of level controls, matching in of surface level, tidy up site, allowance for curing time for mortar and other setting materials, traffic management.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Benching within an access chamber is constructed or repaired in accordance with organisational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Alignments, transitions, invert level identification, preparation of surfaces for bonding, use of mortar.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Step iron within an access chamber is fitted or replaced in accordance with organisational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Iron selection, installation, anchoring, corrosion procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Pipe and access chamber conditions are observed and communicated to the supervisor in accordance with organisational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to - build up of grease, offset pipes, root egress.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Describe the causes of blockages within wastewater collection systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Blockages due to wedging of objects are described in terms of the types of objects and where blockages are likely to form. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sticks, small animals, rags, building rubble, metal, objects cutlery, cans, nappies, vegetation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Blockages due to pipework defects are described in terms of the initial construction and subsequent connections or pipe displacements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Jointing, workmanship, fittings, service connections, 'jagged edges', pipe displacement due to tree roots and/or ground movement, growth of blocked material.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Blockages due to plant root intrusion are described in terms of the entry points, impacts on pipeline profile, and corrective actions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Joint/collar entry, joint types, water requirements of plants, pipe failure.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Describe the equipment and techniques available for clearing blockages, and preventative maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of rodding equipment is described in terms of sewer blockage clearance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment - screw together rod sections, proprietary types, screw/hook/plunger end fittings.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The use of jetting equipment and nozzle types is described in terms of sewer blockage clearance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of drawn equipment is described in terms of sewer blockage clearance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment includes but is not limited to - winch and set up arrangements, tension control, safety from tension releases, anchoring, attachment selection.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater overflow management and clean-up procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Overflow is described in terms of the potential effects on the environment and public health. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environmental - aquatic life, odours, aesthetics; public health - bacterial contamination, disease.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Flow management is described in terms of the methods to mitigate the effects of overflows. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to - pump shut-down and storage, bypass pumping, tankering, containment options.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The procedures for disposal of contaminated debris from overflows or material removed during sewer cleaning are described in accordance with legislative requirements and environmental implications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Public health protection, designated or approved tip sites.
     


    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 is to 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 to have a knowledge and understanding of:
  • The Current and relevant occupational health and safety legislation.
  • Physical properties of gases in confined spaces. 
    		•

    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: relates to all assessment criteria. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community: relates to all assessment criteria. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively - relates to the following assessment criteria:
  • Appropriate personal protective equipment is worn at all times.
  • A clean, healthy and safe working environment is maintained in accordance with work policies and procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation: 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 relates to all assessment criteria. 

    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: relates to all assessment criteria. 

    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 
    Definition of terms:
  • Wastewater, includes sewage.
  • Wastewater pipes includes sewers. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  60169   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services  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. 4 TOPS ACADEMY 
    2. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    3. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    4. ERWAT 
    5. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    6. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    7. THOBOLOGO TRAINING & EDUCATION GROUP 
    8. 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.