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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Demonstrate knowledge of the water cycle

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
113933	Demonstrate knowledge of the water cycle
ORIGINATOR
SGB Water Sector
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction			Physical Planning, Design and Management
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 1	NQF Level 01	4
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

A qualifying learner in combination with context expertise standard(s) will be able to explain the elements of the water cycle to gain a broad understanding of water and water sources. This knowledge will equip the learner with the foundational knowledge and understanding of water that is required to function effectively within the water sector. This competence will enable the learner to value water as a scarce resource and share this knowledge to improve community understanding of the importance of conserving water resources. 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.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Ability to read, write and communicate at ABET level 3 or equivalent.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Elements of the water cycle

Evaporation, cloud formation, precipitation, ground water, rivers, oceans.

Water uses

Uses as defined in section 21 of the National Water Act e.g. discharge, storage.

Water users

Domestic, industrial (includes mining), agricultural (irrigation, livestock watering and
aquaculture) and recreation.

Provision of bulk infrastructure

Water needs analysis, survey, environmental impact study, planning, design, costing,
construction, operation and maintenance.

Distribution systems

Piped systems, water tanks, boreholes, rainwater tanks, springs, reservoirs and
reticulation systems.

Causes of water loss/ wastage

Leaking taps / cisterns, taps not turned off, leaking or broken pipes, overflowing water
tanks, over watering of gardens, meter errors, leaking reticulation system etc.

Sources of water pollution

Washing of clothes / dishes in streams, contamination by human and animal faeces,
discharges from factories (including wastewater works), oil spills, solvent spills, solid
waste dumps.

Impact of water pollution

Imbalance in biological life, human and animal illness, taste, colour and odour, limited
access to safe drinking water.

Methods for preventing water pollution

Education, maintenance and correct use
of infrastructure, (including correct operation of water and wastewater treatment works), housekeeping, observation, reporting to relevant authority.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Identify and explain the elements of the water cycle.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The water cycle is drawn, including all the elements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. All elements of the water cycle are identified and explained.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Identify and explain water users and uses.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Water uses are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Water users in terms of water quality guidelines are explained.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Explain the socio-economic impact of water.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The effects of droughts and flooding on communities are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The importance of access to safe drinking water is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The principle of charging for water consumption is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The concept and limitation of free basic water is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Impacts of water users on the environment are explained.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Explain the need for sustainable water resources.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The impact of seasonal fluctuations on sustainability is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The control of floods is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The management of the effects of drought is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The phases of a project cycle on the provision of bulk infrastructure are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Different distribution systems for safe drinking water are identified and discussed.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Explain the importance of conserving water.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Causes and impact of water loss are described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Preventative measures to control water loss are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Causes and impact of wastage of water are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Preventative measures to control wastage of water are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Ways to prevent the wastage of water are explained.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6

Identify possible sources of water pollution.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Sources of water pollution are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The impact of water pollution on water resources is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Diseases caused by polluted water are identified and their symptoms explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Methods for preventing water pollution are described.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

1. Elements of the water cycle.
2. Methods of water storage.
3. Water uses and water users.
4. Traditional and alternative methods of collecting of water.
5. Free basic water and the principle of charging for water.
6. The role of safe, clean water in the prevention of disease.
7. Pollution of water including ways to prevent pollution.
8. The weather cycle and its impact on water as a resource and on water services.
9. The importance of water in South Africa and its scarcity as a natural resource.
10. An understanding of the water services industry with regard to employment or entrepreneurial opportunities.

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.

Assessment criteria: 6.1

Sources of water pollution are identified.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community.

Assessment criteria: none

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.

Assessment criteria: none

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

Assessment criteria: specific outcome 3, 5 and 6.1

Explain the socio-economic impact of water.

Explain the importance of conserving water.

Sources of water pollution are identified.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

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

Assessment criteria: All

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

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

Assessment criteria: none

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: All

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

Learners could be assessed through the following methods:

Oral or written questions

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.

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