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

Demonstrate knowledge of advanced treatment of wastewater process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255986  Demonstrate knowledge of advanced treatment of wastewater process 
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
12069  Demonstrate knowledge of advanced treatment of wastewater process  Level 4  NQF Level 04  20   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
will have a broader understanding of advanced treatment of wastewater processes including biological nutrient removal, coagulation and flocculation, tertiary treatment, advanced sludge treatment and package plants. This knowledge will contribute towards the learner`s broader understanding of legislation and compliance issues This unit standard will expand the skills base of the qualifying learner and make the person more effective in his/her tasks and open up job opportunities in related fields. This competence will contribute towards the improved quality of final wastewater products, which will impact positively on the environment and ecology.

People credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain biological nutrient removal (BNR) process.
  • Explain chemical nutrient removal processes.
  • Explain the importance of de-nitrification.
  • Explain advanced sludge treatment. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The learner must know all types of tertiary treatment.

    Tertiary Treatment:
  • Membrane technology, micro straining, silica graded sand filtration, activated carbon filtration and multimedia filtration.

    Configurations:
  • UCT, Johannesburg, phoredox, bardenpho. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain biological nutrient removal (BNR) process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of biological nutrient removal are explained for the efficient removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different configurations of biological nutrient removal processes are explained in order to enable the achievement of the required quality effluent. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different configurations include but are not limited to BARDENPHO, PHORODOX, LUDZACK-ETTINGER and UCT process.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of the biological nutrient removal process is explained in terms of its advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of chemical stabilisation of waste activated sludge is explained in terms of immobilization of removed phosphate to prevent pollution of the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the importance of de-nitrification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for de-nitrification of final effluent is explained in terms of the optimal operation of the clarifier. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Legal requirements relating to de-nitrification process are identified and discussed in the context of the quality of discharged effluent. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Various methods of removal of nitrates and nitrites from final effluent are discussed in terms of legal requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods include but are not limited to anoxic zones in activated sludge plant and humus tank recycling in biological trickling filter plant.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain advanced sludge treatment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Advanced sludge treatment include to but are not limited to composting, pelletisation, incineration and Activated Sludge Pasteurization (ASP). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of composting is explained in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principles of incineration are explained in terms of their limitations, advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principles of pelletisation are explained in terms of advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principles of the ASP process are explained in terms of their advantages and advantages. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain chemical nutrient removal processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of chemical nutrient removal are explained for the efficient removal of phosphorus. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The points of dosing of chemicals are identified and explained by means of a flow diagram. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different types of chemicals identified and explained in terms of their purposes in order to enable the achievement of nutrient removal. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different types of chemical include but are not limited to ferric chloride, ferric sulphate, aluminium sulphate and lime.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The advantages and disadvantages of biological nutrient removal and chemical nutrient removal are explained in terms of their significance for nutrient removal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of pH correction in the chemical nutrient removal process is explained for optimal phosphorus removal. 


    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:
  • Identification of optional flocculant for own works.
  • Dosing equipment.
  • Types of organisms in biological nutrient removal.
  • Ways to reduce air pollution from pellitization process.
  • Legislative requirements associated with sludge guidelines.
  • Re-use of treated wastewater.
  • The impact of nutrients on the environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems relating to the operation and control of advanced treatment processes in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by stabilizing the waste activated sludge in order to protect the environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community in which complex processes are involved that require teamwork and public understanding on the effects of sludge treatment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively in order to minimise failure of the process. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to quantities and qualities of the products 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 inform relevant stakeholders of critical information pertaining the operation of advanced treatment processes. 

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

    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 when dealing with quality of the influent received and the effluent produced. 

    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 12069, "Demonstrate knowledge of advanced treatment of wastewater process", Level 4, 20 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. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  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.