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

Demonstrate knowledge of sanitation and wastewater treatment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
113935  Demonstrate knowledge of sanitation and wastewater treatment 
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 basic operation of sanitation systems and the operation of a treatment works. This competence will enable the learner to assist in the operation of a wastewater treatment process. This will contribute to the creation of community awareness regarding the impact of sanitation on water use. Achieving this Unit Standard will provide foundational learning that will advance his / her own expertise and employability in the water and other related sectors. 

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 
Definition of Sanitation
  • Management and disposal of waste from a human habitat including hygiene practices, infrastructure and health impact on the environment.

    Sanitation services
  • Collection, removal, disposal or treatment of human excreta, domestic wastewater, sewage and effluent.

    Sanitation systems
  • Pit latrines, bucket system, ventilated improved pit latrine (V.I.P.), reticulated, conservancy tanks, septic tanks and chemical toilets.

    Basic sanitation systems
  • Pit latrines and ventilated improved pit latrine (VIPs).

    Elements of a wastewater treatment
  • Screening (coarse and fine), activated works sludge plant, settling tanks, bio filters, disinfection, oxidation ponds, digesters, drying beds and grit removal.

    Water and sanitation related diseases
  • Water borne diseases (Typhoid Fever, Cholera and Bacillary Dysentery, diarrhoea), Parasitic diseases (Bilharzia), Tape, Hook and Round Worms. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Discuss sanitation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The definition of sanitation is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The definition of sanitation services is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Different types of sanitation systems are identified and discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The impact of sanitation systems on local water resources is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Limits of basic on site sanitation systems are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Use and operation of basic on site sanitation systems are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Risks linked to more complex alternatives are listed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the need to treat wastewater. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The difference between grey water and wastewater is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The purpose of treating wastewater is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Uses of treated wastewater are identified and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the operation of a wastewater treatment works. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The purpose of a wastewater treatment works is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. All the elements of a wastewater treatment works are drawn, labelled and their purpose is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Disposal of effluent, solids and sludge is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Typical jobs and responsibilities on a wastewater treatment works are identified and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain hygiene practices and sanitation and water related diseases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Good personal hygiene practices are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Diseases related to water and sanitation are identified and discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The symptoms and treatment of water and sanitation related diseases are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The significance of the proximity of sanitation structures to water courses is explained. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. The definition of sanitation.
    2. Sanitation systems including pit latrines, bucket systems, VIPs, reticulated systems, conservancy tanks, septic tanks and chemical toilets.
    3. Basic wastewater treatment processes including the elements of the works.
    4. Rights to basic sanitation.
    5. Personal hygiene practices.
    6. Water related diseases, symptoms and treatment including referral to health practitioners. 

    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:
    Risk linked to more complex alternative are listed. 

    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:
  • The impact of sanitation systems on local water resources is explained.
  • Limits of basic on site sanitation systems are explained.
  • The significance of the proximity of sanitation structures to water courses is explained. 
    		•

    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. 

    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:
  • The impact of sanitation systems on local water resources is explained.
  • Disposal of effluent, solids and sludge is explained.
  • The significance of the proximity of sanitation structures to water courses is explained. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.