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

Demonstrate the use of simulation software to understand the principal mechanisms in wastewater treatment and sludge production processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116977  Demonstrate the use of simulation software to understand the principal mechanisms in wastewater treatment and sludge production processes 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  7 
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 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard in combination with context expertise standard(s) will have knowledge of the mechanisms used to enable operational control of nitrification, denitrification and phosphate removal. This competence will enable the learner to simulate both performance to correlate with actual control criteria and various operational scenarios to achieve optimum process performance. Simulation modeling will enable the learner to determine total sludge volumes under varying operational conditions. This knowledge will contribute towards the protection of the environment in accordance with legislation. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the specialised skills and employability of the learner in the water sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Knowledge of the activated sludge process, wastewater related legislation, investigative sampling, advanced
treatment of wastewater and the operation of the biofilter. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Nature of wastewater
Chemical and physical characterisation of wastewater Flow, constituents (organic and inorganic)

Wastewater characteristics
Biodegradable and un-biodegradable fractions, kinetic and stoichiometric constants.

Nutrient removal
Nitrification, denitrification, phosphate and COD (Chemical Oxidation Demand) removal.

Simulation program
UCTPHO, steady state and dynamic simulation

Systems configuration
UCT(University of Cape Town), Johannesburg, Phoredox, Bardenpho, MLE (Modified Ludzack-Ettinger), Biofilters and FLUX model..

Comparative performance
Carbon, nitrogen and phosphate removal, power consumption, limitations

Input data
Wastewater characteristics, and flow, recycle rates, process configuration, sludge age, temperature, dissolved oxygen level. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Use activated sludge process simulation programs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The model is configured with respect to wastewater characteristics. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The model is configured with respect to systems configuration. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The model is configured with respect to operating data. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The aspects of steady state and dynamic simulation are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The model inputs are adjusted to achieve specific optimisation requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Interpret activated sludge process simulation data. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Simulation data is compared against field data and reasons for variance interpreted and process changes identified and implemented. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Simulation utilising various process configurations to effect optimum process performance is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The importance of graphical presentation of data is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Use secondary clarifier simulation programs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Simulation data is compared against field data and reasons for variance interpreted and process changes identified and implemented. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Simulation utilising various process configurations to effect optimum process performance is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The importance of graphical presentation of data is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Predict the affect of specific industrial effluents on the effluent discharged from a specific treatment works. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Characterise the effluent with respect to parameters to the model. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Input parameters into model and then determine the final effluent and sludge discharged quality. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Determine industrial effluent standards to ensure works discharge standards and sludge compliance. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
1. Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
2. Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
3. Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
4. Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
Learners should have a knowledge and understanding of:
1. Wastewater and treatment process chemistry and microbiology.
2. Nutrient removal mechanisms.
3. Computer literacy including Word and computer spreadsheets.
4. Sample preservation and collection methods.
5. Wastewater process configurations. 

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:
  • Simulation data is compared against field data and reasons for variance interpreted and process changes identified and implemented.
  • Simulation utilising various process configurations to effect optimum process performance is demonstrated.
  • Simulation data is compared against field data and reasons for variance interpreted and process changes identified and implemented.
  • Simulation utilising various process configurations to effect optimum process performance is demonstrated. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria: all 

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

    Assessment criteria: all 

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • Simulation data is compared against field data and reasons for variance interpreted and process changes identified and implemented.
  • Simulation utilising various process configurations to effect optimum process performance is demonstrated.
  • Simulation data is compared against field data and reasons for variance interpreted and process changes identified and implemented.
  • Simulation utilising various process configurations to effect optimum process performance is demonstrated. 
    		•

    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: all 

    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 
    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 
    Integrated assessment
    When conducting assessments, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the unit standards being assessed. Assessors must ensure that the assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge by developing assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the learners are working. These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment. It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together in an integrated way, thus reducing the overall number of assessments and ensuring that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59201   National Certificate: Generic Management  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.