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

Thicken and dewater sludge 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255979  Thicken and dewater sludge 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
12050  Thicken and dewater sludge  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will be able to thicken and dewater sludge. This competence will enable the learner to operate and maintain sludge thickeners and dewatering processes and dispose of sludge in accordance with legislative requirements and sludge guidelines. In addition this competence will contribute to the economic sustainability of the environment and equip the learner with enhanced skills, thereby improving the learner`s motivation, employability and basic work experience. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Communication skills at NQF Level 3.
  • Apply personal safety practices NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Work policies and procedures:
  • Best operating procedures.

    Thickening processes:
  • Diffused Air Flotation, gravity thickening and centrifuging.

    Dewatering process includes refers to:
  • Drying bed, screw press, centrifuge and belt press.

    Reports:
  • Maintenance, faults, breakdowns. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the sludge thickening process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge of physical structure a thickener plant is demonstrated by means of a sketch. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of controlling inlet flow is explained in the context of operation within the design parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Various types of solids separation equipment are identified and described in terms of their suitability for different sludges. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Various types of solid separation include but are not limited to gravity thickeners, belt presses, dissolved air flotation and centrifuges and screw press.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Potential problems related to the thickening process are identified and explained in terms of their effect on the quality of the sludge. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Reclaimed water is recycled in order to maximise recovery and to prevent pollution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Solids are disposed of in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Operate sludge dewatering process in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The component parts of the dewatering plant are described by means of a labelled sketch in order to explain the dewatering processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The theory of the operation of the dewatering plant is discussed in relation to optimal functionality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Typical problems relating to dewatering plant are identified in order to take corrective action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Typical problems refer to but are not limited to blockages, blinding of the belt, tracking of the belt and inadequate dosage of thickening dosage.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Different types of dewatering processes are identified and explained in terms their advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Operating procedures for the dewatering processes are explained in terms of the optimal functioning and safe operation of the plant. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operation procedures refer to be not limited to start-up, monitoring and shut down.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain sludge dewatering/thickening plant in accordance with work procedures. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Maintenance refer to but is not limited to removing scum, blockage clearance, general cleaning and lubrication. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Procedures to remove scum and blockages from the equipment are identified and explained in terms safety and optimal functioning of the plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Breakdowns are identified, recorded and reported for corrective action. 


    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 
    Learners should have a knowledge and understanding of:
  • Relevant Legislation: OHS Act, National Water Act, sludge guidelines.
  • Alternative sludge thickeners (dissolved air flotation, centrifuge, gravity thickener).
  • Alternative sludge dewatering devices (belt press, centrifuge, drying beds, filter press and sludge lagoons).
  • Health hazards associated with sludge.
  • Chemical dosing techniques for sludge dewatering.
  • Alternative ways of disposing of sludge.
  • The dangers of working in hot and humid conditions.
  • The process of operating a drying bed.
  • The process of operating a centrifuge.
  • The process of operating a belt press. 
    		•

    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 in situations where blockages occur or variable sludge characteristics require dosing rate to be changed. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group or organisation by ensuring that works procedures are adhered to when dealing with sludge dewatering and thickening processed. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively in order to optimise the thickening and dewatering process. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to breakdowns and operation of the dewatering and thickening process for reporting purposes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation to provide information to relevant persons in order to deal with identified problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by demonstrating an understanding of how the processes work as well as adhering to works policies and procedures. 

    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 by recognising that the dewatering and thickening processes are complex and involve the interaction of individual components. 

    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 12050, "Thicken and dewater sludge", 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 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.
  • Product sample reports.

    Supplementary Notes:

    Sludge thickening produces a pumpable sludge and usually precedes dewatering. Dewatering usually produces a spadable sludge. 
    		•

    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.