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

Investigate problems in a wastewater reticulation system 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254074  Investigate problems in a wastewater reticulation system 
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  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
115897  Investigate problems in a wastewater reticulation system  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard in combination with context expertise standard(s) will be able to explain the elementary hydraulics of a wastewater system that will assist in the investigation of abnormal sewer flows. This competence will enable the learner to identify, investigate, locate, rectify and report problems on a wastewater reticulation system. 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 in the water sector and other related sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematical calculations NQF Level 2.
  • Knowledge of wastewater reticulation systems.
  • Report writing skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Abnormal sewer flows:
  • Excessive volume, quality of effluent, discolouration, too low a flow, ingress of foreign objects and excessive sediment.

    Irregularities:
  • Misaligned pipes, back falls, buried manholes, obstructions, illegal connections, damaged pipe lines, under sized pipes.

    Obstructions:
  • Rubble, pipe fragments, roots, fat, silt, sediment, plugs, foreign objects, misaligned pipes.

    Techniques for locating storm water/ground water:
  • Visual inspection, dye testing, smoke testing.

    Techniques for locating manholes:
  • Metal detectors, spike, manhole locator, survey, CCTV, measurement.

    Techniques for locating obstructions and misaligned pipes:
  • Rods, CCTV, visual inspection and water jetting.

    Network continuity:
  • Dye testing, CCTV inspection. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain elementary hydraulics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between pipe slope and flow in a gravity system is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Operation of syphons and traps are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose of a pumping system is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concept of peak flows is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The relationship between pressure, pipe diameter and velocity is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Principles of network continuity are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Investigate abnormal sewer flows. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Reasons for abnormal sewer flows are explained and remedial measures are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Elementary samples are taken in accordance with work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Techniques for determination of storm water/ground water ingress are performed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Location of illegal dumping into the wastewater system is determined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Investigations of network upstream are carried out and findings are noted accurately. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Locate irregularities in wastewater infrastructure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential irregularities in wastewater infrastructure are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Various levelling techniques are demonstrated in accordance with work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Buried manholes are located using various techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Obstructions are located using various techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Misaligned pipes are located using various techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Illegal connections are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Localised network continuity is assessed accurately using appropriate methods. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Report back on investigations and irregularities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Results of investigations and irregularities are recorded accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Results are reported to appropriate person within prescribed time frames. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Appropriate remedial action within own scope of responsibility is carried out, including reporting to higher authority if necessary in accordance with work procedures. 


    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 
  • Concept of a reticulation system.
  • Abnormal sewer flows including excessive volume, quality of effluent, discolouration, too low a flow, ingress of foreign objects and excessive sediment.
  • Potential problems and irregularities (including rubble, pipe fragments, roots, fat, silt, sediment, plugs, foreign objects, misaligned pipes, back falls, buried manholes, obstructions, illegal connections, damaged pipe lines, under sized pipes) and appropriate remedial measures.
  • Sampling techniques.
  • Locating techniques.
  • Analytical evaluation.
  • Elementary hydraulics.
  • Equipment used for investigation & detecting irregularities.
  • Reports and report writing.
  • Work procedures.
  • Basic calculations. 
    		•

    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.

    Specific outcome:
  • Investigate abnormal sewer flows.
  • Locate irregularities in wastewater infrastructure. 
    		•

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

    Specific outcome:
  • Report back on investigations and irregularities. 
    		•

    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.

    Assessment criteria:
  • All. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation.

    Assessment criteria:
  • All. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • All. 
    		•

    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.

    Assessment criteria:
  • All. 
    		•

    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 115897, "Investigate problems in a wastewater reticulation system", Level 3, 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.
  • Observation.
  • Simulation.
  • Evaluation of reports. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  60155   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    3. ERWAT 
    4. GG SQUARED PROJECTS 
    5. GNS ENTERPRISE (PTY) LTD 
    6. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    7. MMAKAU TRAINING INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    8. SABS NATIONAL ELECTRICAL TESTING FACILITY OLIFANTSFONTEIN 
    9. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    10. THOBOLOGO TRAINING & EDUCATION GROUP 
    11. TWINMARK STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS 


    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.