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 water cycle, water and wastewater systems and processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12033  Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems and 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 2  NQF Level 02  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2005-02-09  2007-11-28  SAQA 1058/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-11-28   2011-11-28  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
246463  Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems and processes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A qualifying learner will be able to explain the elements of the water cycle and water catchment management and gain a broad perspective of the water sector including relevant legislation. This knowledge will equip the learner with the foundational knowledge and understanding of water that is required to function effectively within the water sector as this knowledge is required in all areas. This competence will enable the learner to value water as a scarce resource and share this knowledge to improve community understanding of the importance of conserving water resources. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Literacy NQF level 1. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Elements of the water cycle:
Climate, evaporation, rain/snowfall, underground water, springs, rivers, lakes, oceans, dams, bulk water services, forestry and agriculture, reticulation services, industry, mining, environmental issues, alien plants, catchment management, water treatment, wastewater treatment, pollution.

Water catchment:
Domestic, agriculture, recreational (contact & non contact), environment, industry (formal and informal).

Pollution:
Air pollution, human activities, industrial pollution and mining pollution.

National water legislation:
National Water Act and the Water Services Act. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Identify and explain the elements of the natural water cycle 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The water cycle is drawn including all the elements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. All element of the water cycle are identified and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Relationship of elements to each other are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Explain the principles of water catchment 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Water flow in a catchment is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Recognised water uses within a catchment are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Recognised impacts from water users are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. The economic importance of water is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Ways to conserve water are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. The principle of charging for water and wastewater treatment and water distribution is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Explain the concepts of ground water collection and abstraction 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The principles of ground water and its role in the water cycle are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Ground water trapped in aquifers, fractures and sand is identified and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Ground water collection and extraction is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Principles of resource management of boreholes are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Natural sources of filtration. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Explain the concepts of surface water collection and abstraction 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The flow of surface water and its role in the water cycle is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Surface water collection and extraction is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Principles of resource management of surface water are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Identify possible sources of pollution of water and explain appropriate corrective action 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Sources of pollution of ground water are identified and corrective action is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Ways to prevent contamination of boreholes are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Self-purification of rivers and streams is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. The role of the water process operator in preventing the contamination of water resources is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Explain relevant legislation within the water sector 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Relevant national water legislation and licensing are identified and the purposes are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. The purpose of a water use license is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Relevant environmental legislation is identified and the purposes are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. The purpose of municipal by-laws is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Identify and explain common water and sanitation related diseases 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Diseases commonly related to water and sanitation are identified. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Measures that can be taken to prevent disease are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The link between polluted water and disease is 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:
  • Ways of preventing the contamination of water and the importance of doing this
  • Alternative methods of collecting water
  • The importance and role of indicator organisms in water in assessing the safety of water
  • The role played by pathogens in the contamination and treatment of water
  • The principles of water treatment
  • The principles of wastewater treatment
  • Water reticulation
  • Sewerage systems
  • Disposal, recycle and reuse of treated wastewater
  • Problems with invader plants in a water catchment area (dams, rivers, lakes)
  • Zones of self-purification
  • The impact of seasons and different water tables on boreholes
  • The importance of knowing relevant water legislation
  • The principles on which the National Water Act is based
  • The role of safe, clean water in the prevention of disease 
    		•


    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:
  • Sources of pollution of ground water are identified and corrective action is explained.
  • Ways to prevent contamination of boreholes are explained.
  • Self purification of rivers and streams is explained.
  • The role of the water process operator in preventing the contamination of water resources is explained.
  • The link between polluted water and disease is explained. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • None. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • None. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • Sources of pollution of ground water are identified and corrective action is explained.
  • Ways to prevent contamination of boreholes are explained.
  • Self purification of rivers and streams is explained.
  • The role of the water process operator in preventing the contamination of water resources is explained.
  • The link between polluted water and disease 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.

    Assessment criteria:
  • Relevant national water legislation and licensing are identified and the purposes are explained.
  • The purpose of a water use license is explained.
  • Relevant environmental legislation is identified and the purposes are explained.
  • The link between polluted water and disease is explained. 
    		•

    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 NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 246463, which is "Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems and processes", Level 2, 5 credits.

    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.

    Assessment Option:

    Learners will be assessed through the following methods:
    Oral or written questions 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  23473   National Certificate: Community Water, Health and Sanitation Promotion  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2008-06-11  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  22673   National Certificate: Wastewater Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2007-11-28  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  48907   National Certificate: Wastewater Reticulation Services  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2007-06-09  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  24193   National Certificate: Water Purification Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2007-11-28  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  23475   National Certificate: Water Reticulation Services  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    Elective  49605   National Certificate: Environmental Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    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. A4 Consultancy CC 
    2. Amabamba Recruitment 
    3. AVAX SA 481 CC. T/A Mandisa Development Services 
    4. Buena Vista Learning Academy 
    5. Bull's Business and Skills Training Institute 
    6. Dee's Training (PTY) LTD 
    7. Edutraining Business College 
    8. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    9. Faranang Marketing 
    10. Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa 
    11. Growth Management Consulting 
    12. HDPSA 
    13. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    14. Jobafrik Consulting 
    15. Josmap Training Institute 
    16. K-BONENG CONSULTING SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
    17. Kay Beez Development Projects 
    18. Limadi Industrial Projects 
    19. Mamuhle Academy 
    20. Mazasa Management Consulting CC. 
    21. Mcebo Technologies 
    22. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    23. Ndwamato Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    24. Networx for Career Development 
    25. Nkinane Trading Enterprise 
    26. NKQUBELA CONSULTING 
    27. Nokusho M Consulting and Trading 
    28. OMNI HR CONSULTING PTY LTD 
    29. Pebetse Training and Consulting 
    30. Petra Institute of Development 
    31. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    32. PMA Holdings (PTY ) LTD. 
    33. Reflections Development Institute 
    34. RLSTP Training & Development (PTY) LTD. 
    35. Simmek Holdings 
    36. Thando Consulting Services 
    37. TLD Consulting 
    38. UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE(PTY)LTD 
    39. University of Venda 
    40. Wildlife and Enviroment Society of South Africa 


    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.