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

Monitor and control the mechanisms of aerobic processes comprising of activated sludge, biofilter processes, ponds and wetlands 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117000  Monitor and control the mechanisms of aerobic processes comprising of activated sludge, biofilter processes, ponds and wetlands 
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  18 
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 explain various wastewater processes including activated sludge with or without nutrient removal, the operation of biological filters, ponds and wetlands, and the design of secondary settling tanks. This competence will enable the learner to manage the operation of aerobic biological processes at a wastewater works and interpret the results in conjunction with field data. This knowledge will contribute towards the protection of the environment in accordance with legislation. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the 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, computer literacy knowledge of wastewater related legislation, investigative sampling, treatment of wastewater and the operation of the biofilter and pond systems, mathematical calculations at NQF level 4. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Nature of wastewater: Chemical and physical characterisation of wastewater and wastewater flow rate and, constituents (organic and inorganic).
  • Wastewater characteristics: Biodegradable and non biodegradable fractions, kinetic and stoichiometric constants.
  • Nutrient removal: Nitrification, denitrification, phosphate and Chemical Oxidation Demand (COD).
  • Secondary sedimentation: Flux theory and solids flux.
  • Systems configuration: University of Cape Town (UCT), Johannesburg, Phoredox, Bardenpho, MLE (Modified Ludzack-Ettinger), Biofilters.
  • Comparative performance: Carbon, nitrogen and phosphate removal, power consumption, limitations.
  • Ponds: Oxidation and maturation.
  • Input data: Wastewater characteristics, and flow, recycle rates, process configuration, sludge age, temperature, dissolved oxygen level.
  • Wetlands: Natural purification process.
  • Chemical preparations: Solid, solution, slurry. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the theory of the activated sludge and biological filter processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The nature of municipal wastewater is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The influence of raw and settled sewage on wastewater process design and performance is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Principles and calculations associated with organic material removal, nitrification, denitrification and biological excess phosphate removal and calculations of power requirements are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Comparative performance of the activated sludge process and biofilter are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Alkalinity demands and control within biological processes are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The understanding and use of empirical design methodology to evaluate performance is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the theory of ponds and wetlands. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The influence of dissolved oxygen is explained with relation to aerobic ponds in particular. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The influence of feed characters on the design of ponds and wetlands is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Principals of calculations associated with organic removal, nitrogen reduction and bacterial die off are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The mechanism of eutrophication is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The mechanism of nutrient removal is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Types and typical layouts of pond systems and wetlands are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The role played by algae in the treatment process and disposal of treated wastewater is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Evaluate and monitor the behaviour and design of secondary settling tanks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The calculation, graphical and analytical application of flux theory is explained to enable performance monitoring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The physical aspects of a secondary settling tank design are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An understanding of the use of empirical design methodology to evaluate performance is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Control nutrient removal using chemicals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Phosphates are removed using iron and aluminium salts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Carbon is removed by means of flocculation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Nitrogen removal is enhanced by means of alkalinity control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The influence of alternative application points and chemical preparations are explained. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • 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.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • 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:
  • Wastewater and treatment process chemistry and microbiology.
  • Nutrient removal mechanisms.
  • 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: none. 

    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: All. 

    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.