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

Demonstrate knowledge of advanced processes for treating water 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116998  Demonstrate knowledge of advanced processes for treating water 
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  16 
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 be able to demonstrate knowledge of the range of advanced treatment processes, including theoretical and operational principles. This competence will enable the learner to analyse and interpret the processes and to guide operational staff in optimising these treatment processes. This will enable the learner to supervise the operation of the process in an effective and cost effective manner and provide communities with potable water from a polluted water source. This competence will broaden the learner's range of skills and improve his/her employment potential in the sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Arithmetic calculations NQF level 4, literacy NQF level 4 or equivalent, knowledge of coagulation, flocculation, clarification. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Application of dissolved air flotation (DAF)
Eutrophic water and algal removal, suspended solids removal

Application of ozone
Taste and odour removal, iron and manganese removal, degradation of organics, disinfection, high frequency discharge, air drying

Application of membranes
Desalination, removal of colloids, removal of colour and organics, removal of pathogens and micro-organisms, dead-end and recycle operation, hollow fibre, spiral wrap, backflush, chemical cleaning

Application of fluoridation and de-fluoridation
Safe fluoride levels, activated alumina filters

Application of activated carbon
Colour taste and odour removal, adsorption of organics, trihalomethane precursors, biodegradation of organics, regeneration acids, alkalis

Application of stabilisation
Softening, precipitation potential, corrosivity and scale formation

Demineralisation
Electrodialysis, ion exchange, multiple effect evaporation, regeneration 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Explain the theory and application of Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Processes. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The process theory of dissolved air flotation (DAF) in water treatment is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The operating principles of dissolved air flotation (DAF) plants are demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The ability to comprehensively outline the application of dissolved air flotation (DAF) in water treatment and reclamation is demonstrated. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Demonstrate knowledge and application of ozonation processes in water treatment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The chemistry of ozone and the chemical principles of ozonation are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The operating principles of ozone generation are demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The relevant applications of pre-ozonation, intermediate ozonation, and post-ozonation are demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Health and safety aspects of ozonation are explained and applied in accordance with workplace requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The monitoring and maintenance requirements of an ozone plant are explained, problem areas are identified and appropriate solutions are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Explain the applications of membrane processes. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Process theory and range of membrane processes is adequately described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The operating principles of ultrafiltration, hyperfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis (RO) are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The need for preliminary stages of treatment prior to a membrane process is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Knowledge of the application of membrane filtration is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The different types of membrane modules are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
The different modes of operating and backflushing are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
The monitoring and maintenance requirements of a membrane process, including health and safety aspects are outlined. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
The methods of dealing with waste products are demonstrated. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Demonstrate knowledge and application of fluoridation and de-fluoridation techniques. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The health and safety aspects of fluoride in water are described in terms of benefits and negative aspects. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Knowledge of the application of fluoridation and de-fluoridation processes is demonstrated in accordance with guidelines and health and safety considerations. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The operation of fluoridation and de-fluoridation plants is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The methods of dealing with waste products are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Explain the application of activated carbon in water treatment and the processes used. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Knowledge of the theory of adsorption and absorption processes using activated carbon is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The operating principles of adding powdered activated carbon (PAC) in water treatment is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Knowledge of the application of granular activated carbon (GAC) contacting processes is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Health and safety aspects of PAC and GAC use are explained and applied. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The regeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC) is described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Demonstrate understanding of the theory and application of the water stabilisation processes. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The theory of carbonate chemistry in water is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The operating principles of stabilisation processes through acid or base addition to achieve the correct precipitation potential are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The application of stabilisation processes is demonstrated taking into consideration the operation and control of stabilisation process. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Explain and apply the theory and practice of demineralisation in water treatment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The theory of electrodialysis is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The principles of ion exchange are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The operation of a water softener and dionising plant is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The methods of regenerating ion exchange resins are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The principles of multiple-effect evaporation are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
The methods of dealing with waste products are demonstrated. 


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 
1. The theory and practice of coagulation and flocculation.
2. Application of separation processes including dissolved air flotation, clarification and filtration.
3. Oxidation and disinfection processes.
4. Ultrafiltration, nonofiltration and reverse osmosis membrane processes.
5. The application of fluoridation and de-fluoridation.
6. The use of powdered activated carbon (PAC) and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
7. Stabilisation of water supplies.
8. Demineralisation of water. 

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:
  • The monitoring and maintenance requirements of an ozone plant are explained, problem areas are identified and appropriate solutions are described. 

  • 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:
  • The monitoring and maintenance requirements of an ozone plant are explained, problem areas are identified and appropriate solutions are described. 

  • 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 among 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.