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

Demonstrate knowledge of oxidation pond and maturation ponds processes in wastewater treatment. 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254101  Demonstrate knowledge of oxidation pond and maturation ponds processes in wastewater treatment. 
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 3  NQF Level 03  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
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 
This unit standard is intended for people who are responsible for the operation of oxidation and maturation ponds. People accessing this unit standard will be able to monitor and maintain maturation and oxidation ponds. This competence will enable the learner to manage ponds in both a rural and an urban context to ensure optimal functioning of the ponds. This competence will contribute towards the sustainability of the water environment in accordance with legislation and regulations.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain the purpose of oxidation and maturation ponds in wastewater treatment processes.
  • Explain the purpose of maturation ponds in wastewater treatment processes.
  • Identify the process options for oxidation and maturation pond wastewater treatment.
  • Identify tests and performance measures of oxidation and maturation pond treatment operations.
  • Monitor the maintenance of the maturation and oxidation ponds. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the purpose of oxidation ponds in wastewater treatment processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of works policies and procedures relating to the oxidation and maturation ponds is explained in accordance with legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of an oxidation pond is described in terms of the oxidation of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of wastewater. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Settlement of solids, anaerobic digestion, aerobic oxidation, effluent quality, buffering of flows and loads.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Oxidation pond treatment is described in terms of the process outputs. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aerobic oxidation, effluent quality, pathogen reduction, COD reduction, ammonia reduction, phosphate removal.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the purpose of maturation ponds in wastewater treatment processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of a maturation pond is described in terms of the oxidation of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of wastewater. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Settlement of solids, effluent quality, buffering of flows and loads.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Maturation pond treatment is described in terms of the process outputs. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aerobic oxidation, effluent quality, pathogen reduction.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify the process options for maturation pond wastewater treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The processes for maturation pond treatment are identified in terms of inputs, outputs and how they work. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The processes include but are not limited to - settlement, aerobic processes, photosynthesis, loading rates, heavy metal removal, pond layouts, COD reduction, ammonia reduction, phosphate removal, solids reductions, pathogen reduction.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Maturation pond treatment is identified in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of this process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Maturation pond treatment includes but is not limited to - land requirements, loading rates, pathogen reduction rates, public acceptance.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify tests and performance measures of oxidation and maturation pond treatment operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process tests for oxidation and maturation pond treatment are identified for each pond option. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Process tests include but are not limited to - dissolved oxygen level, diurnal fluctuations, and visual colour.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The performance measures of process effectiveness of oxidation and maturation pond treatment are described for each pond option. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Performance measures includes but is not limited to - dissolved oxygen levels, pathogen indicator counts, COD, ammonia, nitrates, dead fish, phosphates and suspended solids.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor the maintenance of the maturation and oxidation ponds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Samples are taken and analysed to determine problems and/or irregularities on the ponds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The quality of water is checked for compliance with organisational standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Plant growth on ponds is analysed to determine corrective action. 


    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 knowledge and understanding of:
  • Relevant sections of the legislation: OHS Act, National Water Act.
  • The importance of ensuring compliance with relevant work policies and procedures.
  • The importance of ensuring that maturation and oxidation ponds are maintained.
  • The importance of sampling water and monitoring the quality of the water.
  • Quality of the final effluent.
  • Health risks of staff working with wastewater. 
    		•

    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 by sampling and identifying irregularities in order to take appropriate corrective action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community to monitor and maintain oxidation and maturation ponds in compliance with organisational requirements and standards. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly to ensure that the team at the ponds use personal protective clothing and tools when maintaining the oxidation and maturation ponds. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to problems and irregularities using sample results. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation to report irregularities and problems to the immediate supervisor. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by taking samples to check the quality of water. 

    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.

    Assessment Option:

    Learners could be assessed using the following methods:
  • Oral or written questions.
  • Observation.
  • Product sample reports. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  60190   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Process Control  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    2. DR HE MAEPA INSTITUTE 
    3. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    4. ERWAT 
    5. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    6. K-BONENG CONSULTING SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
    7. Kelvin Power (Pty) Ltd 
    8. NTANDOKAZI HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD 
    9. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 


    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.