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 QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Water Supply, Sanitation and Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110494  Master of Science in Water Supply, Sanitation and Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-07-25  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Science in Water Supply, Sanitation and Management is to provide learners with interdisciplinary knowledge, practical skills, and high quality research mini-dissertation that will enable them to meet the current and future challenges in the water sector. Overall, this qualification will allow successful learners to fill the skill shortage with municipal, water boards, industrial stakeholders or innovate and pursue their own entrepreneurial goals via starting their own Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's).

The qualification will develop learners who can contribute to the development of knowledge in Water Supply, Sanitation and Management, either at one of South Africa's universities, municipalities, or at an industry. Qualifying learners should be able to systematically analyse complex issues, make recommendations using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly.

Qualifying learners will be given sufficient business and management skills to enable them to be entrepreneurial in operating their own small businesses or work in industry. Qualifying learners who wish to continue their formal education will be able to proceed to a Doctorate in a related area.

The qualifying learner will be able to conduct independent research under minimal guidance in the field of Water Supply, Sanitation and Management and will be able to contribute to knowledge production in this field.

Rationale:
The rationale for this qualification is to alleviate the need in water research in South Africa as a water scarce country. This means that the limited water resources available for consumer, commercial or industrial use must be managed carefully. To address this need, the 'old way' of doing things cannot be maintained. New innovative and practical solutions that take into account the water cycle must be developed, and the human resources with the key and necessary skill sets must be trained to address these challenges.

Water supply, sanitation, and management is a comprehensive qualification that looks at the complete water cycle as it pertains to the built and natural environment. Problems in the industry include emerging organic pollutants, persistent organic pollutants, inorganic pollutants, microbial pollutants, ageing infrastructure, dams with unacceptable high rate of water loss, threatened or disappearing water sheds, poor or inadequate waste water treatment plants, and old drinking water treatment plants. Some of these problems could be addressed if there were people trained to understand how all these problems are linked, and how they may change with time. Municipalities, water boards, and industrial stakeholders are aware of the need to address all of these current and growing problems. However, a key stumbling block is the lack of graduates with a holistic training and understanding of the water cycle problem. One of the key objectives behind the qualification is to combine the coursework and a mini-dissertation, which will allow for the effective transfer of new skills and knowledge, but at the same time include the strength of a Research and Development component. Thus this qualification seeks to address this gap.

The qualification is structured in a multidisciplinary manner, allowing for collaboration on research projects across multiple disciplines, and enabling learners to gain experience on instrumentation and techniques available across disciplines. This unique mode of offering is being driven by the Department of Water and Sanitation Affairs (DWSA) and Municipalities, to service the needs of South Africa through national water strategy (policy).

Qualifying learners will be able to systematically analyse complex issues, make recommendations using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly. Qualifying learners will be given business and management skills to enable them to be entrepreneurial in operating their own small businesses or work in industry and municipalities across the country. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and status will be given for credits that are aligned to the learning outcomes of the programme and to promote lifelong learning.

The Institutional RPL policy will be applied. Through RPL, a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirement is:
  • A Bachelor of Science Honours Degree, NQF Level 8 with a specialisation in one or more of the following:
    > Chemistry.
    > Physics.
    > Engineering.
    > Geography.
    > Biological Sciences.
    > Health Sciences. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology, 14 Credits.
  • Water Quality Monitoring, 12 Credits.
  • Microbiology of Water, 12 Credits.
  • Health, Sanitation and Wastewater Management, 12 Credits.
  • Surface and Groundwater Hydrology, 8 Credits.
  • Water Source Engineering, 8 Credits.
  • Emergency Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation, 8 Credits.
  • Water and Community Development, 8 Credits.
  • Managing and Financing of Water, 8 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation, 90 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the relevant procedures and technologies in order to assess, treat and manage water and wastewater treatment and appropriate techniques suggested.
    2. Apply the principles, proven techniques and specialised skills required for the promotion of water and wastewater treatment.
    3. Apply pertinent knowledge of water and wastewater treatment and the microbiological aspects in terms of health and sanitation management.
    4. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills for personal and professional development within an environmental and health context and apply the principles of ethics within a multi-cultural and international context.
    5. Acquire knowledge of the entrepreneurial design, construction and maintenance sciences and professional practices relevant to water supply, sanitation and management.
    6. Critically use and interrogate multiple sources of literature in order to develop and contribute towards research output in the field of Water supply, sanitation and management and to continue with lifelong learning and become a reflective practitioner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the principles and applications of water and wastewater treatment in theory and practical solutions.
  • Implement relevant procedures and technologies in order to assess, treat and manage water and wastewater treatment and appropriate techniques suggested.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Implement principles, proven techniques and specialised skills required for the promotion of water and wastewater treatment in authentic conditions.
  • Discuss the principles, proven techniques and specialised skills in water and wastewater treatment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate pertinent knowledge of water and wastewater treatment and the microbiological aspects in terms of health and sanitation management can be demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply effective communication skills for personal and professional development in an environmental and health context.
  • Implement the principles of ethics within a multi-cultural and international context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Apply entrepreneurial design, construction and maintenance sciences and professional practices in relevant to water supply, sanitation and management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Apply multiple sources of literature to develop and contribute towards research output in the field of Water supply, sanitation and management and to continue with.
  • Analyse variety of sources of literature related to the water supply, sanitation and management.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment of the qualification's learning outcomes forms an integral part of the teaching and learning process of the Master's' qualification. The assessment of all modules is in line with the university's teaching and learning policy, including assessment guidelines.

    The coursework aspect of this qualification will include a number of Formative and Summative Assessment opportunities, including assignments, tutorials, tests, presentations, and other assessment opportunities that include a number of online evaluations.

    A final summative evaluation for each module will be conducted at the end of the semester. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • United Kingdom (UK): Cranfield University, Master of Science (MSc) in Community Water and Sanitation.

    The qualification has a research component with one year of coursework. The modules are similar to this qualification. However, the institution's qualification offers a separate microbiology component due to the unique problem of high levels of cyanobacteria in several waterways around South Africa.
  • Australia: Curtin University, Water Quality and Supply Systems Degree.

    This practical, industry-focused qualification can help you develop the skills and knowledge you will need to improve water quality and supply in Australian and international communities." The core modules are focused within chemistry, and the electives seem to be outside of chemistry. Thus the key difference is that the institution's qualification is multi-disciplinary from the outset, with learners being exposed to the various disciplines for a much greater cross-disciplinary learning experience.
  • Norway: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources with specialisation in Sustainable Water and Sanitation, Health and Development.

    This qualification offers one year of qualification work and one year of research. Greater emphasis on geology based qualification and various electives. The qualification at the institution offers some similar qualifications with additional qualifications in Microbiology, Waste-Water Treatment, Water quality and Management based water qualifications. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Water Resource Management, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Hydrology and Water Resources, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.