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

Optimise water quality 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116369  Optimise water quality 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
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 learner should demonstrate an ability to design and troubleshoot systems so as to optimize water quality parameters in an agricultural production facility.

Learners will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural practices as applied in the animal-, plant and mixed farming sub fields. This unit standard focuses on the application of maintaining water quality in primary agriculture.

They will be able to participate in, undertake and plan farming practices with knowledge of their environment. This unit standard will instill a culture of maintenance and care for both the environment as well as towards farming infrastructure and operations. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 4: Manag water quality parameters.
  • NQF 4: Plan and maintain environmentally sound agricultural processes.
  • NQF 4: Manage a food safety and quality management system in the agricultural food chain.
  • NQF 4: Establish a plan for the monitoring, safe use and maintenance of equipment, implements, technology and infrastructure. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Within the context of application, animals include but are not limited to insects, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals, whichever is applicable to the area of operation. All range statements should be interpreted as relevant to the context of application.

    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Develop, design and optimize water quality systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Water quality management includes but is not limited to:
  • Physical factors (temperature, after oxygen, water temperature may be the single most important factor affecting the welfare of aquatic organisms in aquaculture, they are generally categorized into warm water, cool water, and coldwater species based on optimal growth temperatures suspended solids, plankton, clay turbidity.)
  • Chemical factors (Dissolved oxygen, ammonia, pH, salinity, super saturation, pollutants, heavy metals)
  • Microbiological characteristics (E. coli, Vibrio sp., Salmonella sp., algal blooms, and possible diseases.)
  • Biological processes (photosynthesis, nitrogen cycle, decomposition, energy budgets.)
  • Operational technical systems: aeration, filtration, protein skimming, screening, bio-filtration, degassing, nutrient stripping and sterilization (ozonation, UV sterilization, chlorination). 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Extensive knowledge on water and water quality is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Extensive knowledge on the water requirements of plant or animal organisms is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to design, develop or optimize water quality management systems is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Infrastructure to ensure the optimization of water quality management systems is created. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An ability to explain and implement a wide range of system designs in water quality is shown. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an ability to devise solutions to water quality management problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to explain in substantial depth an analysis of collected data and information especially within the context of corrective actions and system design in water quality management is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to design solutions to water supply and quality management problems is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Solutions and maintenance procedures related to problems related to water quality and supply management are implemented. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Guidelines related to water quality systems maintenance are provided. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate a thorough ability to maintain and calibrate all monitoring and adjusting equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An ability to calibrate, maintain and operate all equipment is demonstrated and a thorough understanding of the different measured parameters and correct laboratory procedures is shown. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An ability to logically identify and troubleshoot faulty equipment is shown. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All testing and sampling equipment used are calibrated, maintained and operated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment problems are identified and corrected. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate a thorough ability to manage infrastructure related to water quality systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to create and maintain supply systems related to water quality installations and maintenance is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to manage staff to operate and maintain water quality systems is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The managerial skills and ability to manage water quality and supply systems is demonstrated. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Names and functions of all the various components of water supply and quality systems.
  • Attributes of water related to water quality.
  • The requirements of organisms related to their water need.
  • The purpose of maintaining relevant water quality for living organisms.
  • Management skills.
  • Water purification techniques and systems.
  • Relevant legislation related to the feeding and care of living organisms.
  • Relevant legislations related to water use and environmental issues.
  • Interpersonal skills related to communication.
  • Sensory and documented cues related to water quality. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Team Work: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self Management: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting information: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and Technology: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    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  49011   National Diploma: Animal Production  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  49010   National Diploma: Plant Production  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    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. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    2. The Skills Development Hub (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.