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 an understanding of integrated water resource management (IWRM) 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264457  Demonstrate an understanding of integrated water resource management (IWRM) 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Environmental Science, Env Mgt and Waste Mgt 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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 
Considering the fact that South Africa is generally regarded as a dry country, understanding prudent management of the country's water resources is crucial to the work of an environmental officer. Learners accredited with this Unit Standard will obtain an understanding of the importance of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).

Learners credited with this standard will be capable of:
  • Identifying and explaining the legislation pertaining to IWRM.
  • Explaining the strategic approach to IWRM.
  • Explaining the importance of public participation in IWRM.
  • Discussing the development of a Water Quality Management Plan.
  • Discussing the Water Quality Management Approach. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and explain the legislation pertaining to IWRM. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Legislation includes but is not limited to the National Water Act; Water Services Act ; National Environmental Management Act (NEMA); Environment Conservation Act ; Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The definitions and purpose of the Acts are explained in a manner that ensures consistency in understanding the various Acts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sections of the relevant legislation are identified in terms of the legal framework within which the IWRM is applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relevant regulations are identified and discussed in terms of how they relate to the Acts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Regulations include but is not limited to Regulation 704, Dam Safety, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), registration.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of compliance with legislation is discussed in relation to the consequences of non-compliance. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the strategic approach to IWRM. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) is discussed in terms of how it relates to IWRM. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The strategic approaches to IWRM are identified and discussed in terms of their differences and the contexts in which they are used. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Approaches include but are not limited to Pollution Prevention Approach, Precautionary Approach, Differentiated Approach, Receiving Water Quality Objectives Approach, Land-use Management Approach, Resource-based Approach.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The primary goals of these strategic approaches are explained to ensure clarity on their focus. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The various aspects that constitute the functional strategy are identified and discussed in terms of its comprehensiveness. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aspects include but are not limited to Catchment Management Plans, Management Strategies, Management Tools, Special Tasks, Statutory Responsibilities, Audit System, Research, Human Resources and Capacity Building.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The definitions pertaining to IWRM are discussed to ensure consistency of understanding and provide a foundation of understanding in the field. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the importance of public participation in IWRM. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The role and importance of public participation in the mandate of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) are described in terms of how the public can participate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purposes and principles of public participation are described and explained in terms of the framework established for public involvement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The responsibilities of the DWAF are discussed in relation to the integration of public participation within the department's work. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Discuss the development of a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of the WQMP and the involvement of roleplayers is discussed with reference to the water quality management strategy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The information required to develop the WQMP for a river catchment is identified in terms of what the plan must address and what this entails. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The project planning approach is outlined with respect to the WQMP. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The elements that constitute the characterisation of the catchment are identified and explained to elaborate on the nature of the catchment area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The conceptual management plan, information systems and the management tools for a WQMP are identified and explained to serve as a procedural guide in the development of a catchment management plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The project process flow diagram is drawn and discussed in a manner that ensures that all the aspects for the development of a WQMP are covered. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Discuss the Water Quality Management Approach (WQMA). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic principles affecting Water Quality Management (WQM) are discussed in relation to water management strategies and policies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of Water Quality Management (WQM) is discussed in relation to objectives, components, activities, management philosophy and public participation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The WQM objectives are outlined in terms of the components to be integrated into it. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components include but is not limited to delineation of the system, water quality requirements of water users, water quality guidelines, general guidelines, status of water user.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Elements of a physical system are identified and discussed in terms of their characterisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Formulation of Water Quality Management (WQM) objectives is described in terms of the procedures followed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Procedure includes but is not limited to catchment visioning, water quality management guidelines, catchment characterisation, strategic catchment planning, impact assessment, waste load allocation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The concept of assimilative capacity is explained in relation to different substances. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Substances include non-conservative substances, conservative substances, substances with synergistic and antagonistic effects.
     


    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 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 
  • Legislation: National Water Act, Water Services Act, National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), Environment Conservation Act, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
  • National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) is discussed in relation to IWRM.
  • Strategic Approaches: Pollution Prevention Approach, Precautionary Approach, Differentiated Approach, Receiving Water Quality Objectives Approach, Land-use Management Approach, Resource-based Approach.
  • Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP).
  • Water Quality Management Approach (WQMA).
  • Functional strategy: Catchment Management Plans, Management Strategies, Management Tools, Special Tasks, Statutory Responsibilities, Audit System, Research, Human Resources and Capacity Building. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Dealing with legislation.
  • Explaining the strategic approach to IWRM.
  • Explaining the importance of public participation in IWRM.
  • Discussing the development of a Water Quality Management Plan.
  • Discussing the Water Quality Management Approach. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Develop of a Water Quality Management Plan.
  • Discuss the Water Quality Management Approach. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66789   National Certificate: Environmental Management  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    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. Giamanje TVET College 
    2. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    3. Jobafrik Consulting 
    4. Josmap Training Institute 
    5. Lewerb Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    6. Makhuba Development Projects CC 
    7. Mamuhle Academy 
    8. Maxlen Holdings 
    9. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    10. Petra Institute of Development 
    11. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    12. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    13. Reflections Development Institute 
    14. Sebenzisanane Human Capital 
    15. Tasc Business Consulting and Training 
    16. Thando Consulting Services 
    17. Timothy Fasheun Group Enviromentors (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Transafric Consulting Pty Ltd 
    19. Triplo 4 Sustainable Solutions (PTY) LTD 
    20. Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation 
    21. Wildlife and Enviroment Society of South Africa 


    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.