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

Handle and dispose of water and wastewater sludge 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246472  Handle and dispose of water and wastewater sludge 
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 1  NQF Level 01  5 
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 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will be able to handle and dispose of water and wastewater sludge in accordance with work policies, procedures and the sludge guidelines in terms of the National Water Act. The learner will be able to recognise and report hazards to designated workplace personnel and accurately follow workplace procedures relevant to handling and disposing of water and wastewater sludge in the workplace. This competence will enable the learner to reduce health risks and contribute towards maintaining the environment.

Person credited with this unit standard will be competent in:
  • Explaining health and environmental risks when handling and disposing of water and wastewater sludge.
  • Explaining disposal options for water and wastewater sludge.
  • Recording the disposing of water and wastewater sludge in accordance with work policies and procedures. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Communication at ABET Level 3.
  • Mathematical literacy at ABET Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Work policies and procedures:
  • Best operating procedures.

    Guidelines for the Utilisation and Disposal of water and wastewater sludge.

    Disposal options:
  • Incineration, pelletisation, heat treatment, land disposal, sea disposal, burial, Irrigation, reclamation, composting, and agriculture. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain health and environmental risks when handling and disposing of water and wastewater sludge. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different sludges found in water and wastewater treatment are identified and described in terms of their characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different sludges refer to but are not limited to wastewater sludges such as raw sludge, digested sludge, activated sludge and humus sludge. Water sludges refer to sedimentation tank sludge and filter backwash and mixed sludge.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pathogenic and parasitic organisms in sludge are explained in the context of ingestion of helminth ova and pathogenic bacteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The difference between water and wastewater sludge is discussed in terms of their characteristics and de-waterability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The dangers and consequences of not following personal hygienic practice and wearing personal protective equipment are explained in terms of hygienic and health risks. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dangers refer to but are not limited to helminth ova and pathogenic bacteria. Personal hygienic practice refers to washing of hands and wearing of protective equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Environmental risks when disposing of sludge are explained in relation contamination of the natural water courses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environmental risks refer to the production of leachate and discharging into water courses.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify and describe the disposal options for water and wastewater sludges. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different options for water and wastewater sludge disposal are identified and listed in terms of their locations and sludge volumes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different options include but are not limited to agricultural, marine, incineration, sacrificial landfill, composting, heat treatment, recycling and pelletisation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of estimating the volumes of water and wastewater sludge for disposal is explained for reporting purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An understanding of own works disposal process is demonstrated and explained using examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Record the volume of water and wastewater sludge disposal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Method of recording water and wastewater sludge volume/mass estimation is explained and demonstrated with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Method of recording refers to flow meter and mass balance.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significance of recording the volume of water and wastewater sludge is explained in accordance with work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment used for estimation of volume/mass of wastewater sludge is described in terms of their shape and capacity of carrying sludge. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment includes but is not limited to wheelbarrow, weigh bridge, front end loaders, skips, tankers, and trailers.
     


    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:
  • Relevant Legislation: OHS Act and sludge guidelines.
  • The importance of following relevant work policies and procedures.
  • Different sources of sludge in own works.
  • Appropriate disposal option for sludge based on different sources (types of sludge).
  • The importance of accurate records. 
    		•

    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 in dealing with sludge handling and disposal by observing works operating manual. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group to ensure that the sludge is disposed correctly and interact with the community to highlight the dangers of re-uses of sludge. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect samples and report information to determine the mass/volume of sludge disposed. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using language skills in the form of oral and/or written reports to immediate supervisors regarding the volumes/mass of sludge. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 12041, "Handle and dispose of sludge", 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 could be assessed using the following methods:
  • Oral or written questions.
  • Observation. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58951   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    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. ATTI NELSPRUIT (PTY) LTD 
    2. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    3. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    4. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    5. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    6. URSIVOX (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.