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

Supervise and optimise the operation of separation processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255976  Supervise and optimise the operation of separation processes 
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  8 
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
115957  Supervise and optimise the operation of separation processes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person achieving this unit standard will be able to supervise the operation of the separation unit processes and make decisions related to optimising the water and wastewater treatment process as a whole. This competence will enable the learner to explain the principles of separation processes, calculate load factors, evaluate the design and functioning of different processes and remove different contaminants. This will contribute to the cost effectiveness and efficiency of a water treatment plant and the sustainable provision of potable water and effluent. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the efficiency of the qualifying learner and advance his/her own expertise, skills and employability in the water sector.

People credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain the purpose and principles of separation processes.
  • Explain and evaluate the performance of different separation processes.
  • Assess the operation of separation processes in use. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Communication skills at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Separation processes include but are not limited to:

    Settling, clarification, dissolved air flotation (DAF) and filtration (both macro and membrane filtration).

    Contaminants:
  • Unacceptable levels of colour, suspended solids, colloidal particles, iron, manganese, hardness, dissolved salts (e.g. fluoride and nitrate), algae and organic matter.

    Clarifiers:
  • Vertical flow, horizontal flow and radial flow.

    Clarifier components:
  • Inlet, outlet, desludge valves, sludge hopper and other associated mechanical equipment.

    External factors:
  • pH, temperature, dissolved solids, shelf life and quality of chemicals.

    Other relevant parameters:
  • Polluting substances that can be measured. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the purpose and principles of separation processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of separation processes is explained in terms of settlement, flotation, diffusion and filtration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of biologically/chemically active suspensions are explained in terms of their suitability of settling processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The concept and importance of energy gradient ("G-value") is explained in terms of the stability of the floc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concepts of settling rate is explained in terms of its application to separation processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The up-flow rate for a clarifier on the plant is explained in terms of its effect on the quality of the overflow. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The concept of weir overflow rate is explained in terms of its effect on the quality of the overflow. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Dissolved air flotation systems are described in terms of their significant factors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Significant factors include but are not limited to entrained air, bubble size, characteristics of dissolved air and recycle ratio and quality of recycle water.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain and evaluate the performance of different separation processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different separation processes are explained in terms of their application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The design of various clarifiers is described in terms of their application, advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The function of a sludge blanket is explained in terms of overflow quality of water and effluent. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The removal of particles within a filter media is explained in terms of its absorption properties of the media. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The performance of own site separation processes are evaluated against design capacity and standard design criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The effectiveness of separation processes in water and wastewater treatment is described and explained in terms of contaminant capture. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assess the operation of separation processes in use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The separation processes are monitored and evaluated in order to identify problems for corrective action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Water loss is calculated, evaluated and monitored to maximize recovery of wastewater. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Water quality within the various process steps is maintained 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 
  • Principles of separation processes.
  • Principles of particle stabilisation and floc growth.
  • Definition of contaminants in accordance with SABS 241 (latest version) and DWAF guidelines.
  • Chemicals for the removal of contaminants.
  • Process design principles of clarification and dissolved air flotation (DAF).
  • Different methods of cleaning backwashing filters.
  • Concept, calculation and acceptable values of energy gradient.
  • Equipment used for determining contaminants such as turbidity meters, particle counters and comparators.
  • The concept of clarification and separation.
  • The shelf life of chemicals and quality of chemicals when delivered on-site (e.g. specific gravity). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made to choose the correct mode of separation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community to choose the most effective separation system. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Planning, organising and managing oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively to ensure the different components are effectively separated. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluate information for correct sludge withdrawal and backwashing. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively with managers and stakeholders using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentations on the performance of separation processes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by using efficient separation techniques. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when separating liquids from solids, clearer liquids mean higher volumes of solids. 

    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 115957, "Supervise and optimise the operation of separation processes", Level 4, 8 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 among 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.
  • Direct observation or simulation.
  • Evaluation of records and calculations.

    Supplementary Notes:

    Definition:

    Separation processes in this context are considered to be those processes in water treatment, which remove suspended material from the water. Examples include settling or clarification, flotation and filtration. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    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. KGWEBISWANO SUPPLIES & SERVICES 
    6. 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.