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

Demonstrate knowledge of water purification 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
113937  Demonstrate knowledge of water purification 
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 1  NQF Level 01 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 
A qualifying learner in combination with context expertise standard(s) will be able to explain the elements of water purification and the purpose of the works. This competence will enable the learner to understand the purification process including the purpose of purifying water and alternative methods for making drinking water safe. This will contribute to creating community awareness regarding safe drinking water. In acquiring this competence the qualifying learner will lay a good foundation for future learning and action, and better understand the broader context of water quality and water purification. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Ability to read, write and communicate at ABET level 3 or equivalent, measuring skills. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Water sources.
Rain, sea, rivers, dams and ground water.

Indicators.
Colour, clarity, bacteriological tests, odour and taste.

Removal of suspended solids.
Filtration by means of cloth and/or sand.

Methods to make water safe.
Boil water, household bleach or chlorine tablets.

Processes of a water purification plant.
Inlet, coagulation, clarifier, filters, disinfection.

Jobs.
Water plant operator, cleaners, laboratory assistants, water plant supervisor and maintenance personnel. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Explain water sources. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Different water sources are named. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Uses of water from different water sources are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The difference between potable and raw water is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. The difference between ground water and surface water is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Explain the need to purify water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The purpose of purifying water is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Indicators of the need to purify water are identified and explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Demonstrate field methods for making drinking water safe for human consumption. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Sources of water in own area are identified and located. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Removal of suspended solids is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Alternatives methods to make water safe for human consumption are demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Limits of basic purifying methods are explained and more complex alternatives are listed. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Describe the operation of a water purification plant. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The purpose of a water purification plant is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. All the processes of a water purification plant are drawn, labelled and their purposes are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Typical jobs and responsibilities on a water purification plant are identified and described. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
N/A 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
Learners should have a knowledge and understanding of:

1. Water sources and uses.
2. Basic purifying methods.
3. Legislated minimum standards of water supply.
4. Process control tests including turbidity, pH and residual chlorine.
5. Water purification plant and processes. 

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. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

Assessment criteria: Indicators of the need to purify water are identified and explained. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation. 

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

Assessment criteria: Demonstrate field methods for making drinking water safe for human consumption. 

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.

Assessment criteria: Demonstrate field methods for making drinking water safe for human consumption and Describe the operation of a water purification plant. 

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  48495   General Education and Training Certificate: Water Services  Level 1  NQF Level 01  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. GNS ENTERPRISE (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.