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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Water Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111182  Master of Water Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-09-09  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The Master of Water Engineering, in addition to having a research component, has a strong focus on practice-oriented coursework designed to assist civil engineers and technical professionals in the development of their careers and to provide them with advanced skills and expertise needed in rapidly changing business, government, and industrial environments. The main purpose is to produce learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively and provide solutions to the current water engineering challenges in South Africa and Africa. The qualification will provide intensive learner education in civil engineering for individuals through a combination of appropriate modules that will develop skills related to industry needs and so suitably serve working professionals.

Rationale:
There has always been a high demand for human resource potential in the water and wastewater treatment sector, in South Africa and globally. In the past, the design of waste treatment systems was performed using empirically, resulting in experience based black box sets of equations on experience. Thus, the development qualification includes scientifically sound models that replicated the unit processes for infrastructure that management treatment and distribution of water. The extension of these models facilitated increased learning on water engineering technologies, hence allowing for the development of better system design procedures that were specific to given conditions. Also, the qualification includes more sophisticated technologies and methods in the design and operation of waste treatment systems that can begin meeting the demands of our modern societies.

The conceptual knowledge used in the development of the scientifically sound water engineering models ensures learners gain the skills and competencies required for industry, research and academia.

The qualification will support the growing demand of learners who are interested in an advanced and specialised qualification in the field of civil engineering that includes an applied research component. There is a large number of professionals in the industry who would benefit from advanced study in Water Engineering.

The expansion of capacity in this sector is much needed especially with the evident links to climate change, resource recovery, aversion of the water crisis and further associated relationships with many of the United Nations sustainability development goals. Also, various shifts have been occurring within the wastewater engineering sector that is critical in defining future infrastructures. Among these shifts is the advent of information technology. There is a transformation of engineering studies, resulting in the utilisation of mathematical models for effective design and optimal operation of processes. Thus, the learners will know the complex decisions while focusing on the essential aspects of the design choices. Learners will understand the trending issues such as response to environmental requirements, economic feasibility and sustainability of systems. Also, the modelling of wastewater treatment facilities became more relevant to the paradigm shift of converting wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to water and resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). The evolution of these systems, from WWTP to WRRFs has necessitated more detailed knowledge on:
  • How to include the fate of WRRF recovered products in the tactical design or operations or decision making (i.e. integrating the waste treatment facility to other linking components of the infrastructure in a system wide way).
  • The improvement of process control to enhance product (recovered resource) quality in resource recovery.
    This requires more complex model structures and a deeper understanding of the entire water management and wastewater treatment system behavior. Thus, learners will be able to contribute towards the development of more efficient and sustainable water related future infrastructure.

    The qualifying learners will operate as:
  • Design or process engineers in consulting firms and municipal government departments.
  • Act as decision makers in public and privately-owned water and wastewater treatment facilities.
  • Consultants in water and wastewater utility instrumentation, equipment or chemical supply companies.

    The Professional Masters in Water Engineering is coursework qualification (135 Credits of coursework and a 45 Credit research projects). The learners entering this qualification should have a four-year Engineering Degree. Learners may progress to register for a Doctoral qualification in Engineering.

    The qualification shall benefit the learner by providing the required knowledge and skills needed for designing and optimising the operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities. Engineers with such skills are crucial to the delivery of sustainable infrastructure in both urban and rural settings because of the importance of these wastewater treatment facilities to:
  • Ensure human and environmental health.
  • To recover valuable resources from waste streams.
  • Utilise unit process models to make strategic decisions in design and optimise the operation of wastewater treatment facilities. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the qualification is possible for learners who have experience but do not meet the minimum admission requirements. The standard procedure includes submission of a portfolio of evidence that makes reference to and provides of the professional responsibilities the learner has performed and the skills they have demonstrated and referee reports.

    Learners who have completed credit bearing courses at other institutions may apply on the basis of RPL. Exemption of the modules in the qualification will apply, as part of the RPL assessment process.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Level 8 qualification in Engineering. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules, 95 Credits:
  • Integrated Urban Water Management, 20 Credits.
  • Design and Modelling of Water Distribution Systems, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Introduction to Waste Water Treatment, 10 Credits.
  • Research Project, 45 Credits.

    Elective Modules.
    Learners must choose electives to the value of 85 Credits from the modules listed below. However, the selection must include Water-related modules to the value of 40 Credits:
  • Research Design and Methodology for Civil Engineers, 16 Credits.
  • Pressure Management in Water Distribution Systems, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Infrastructure Management, 20 Credits.
  • Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant Design, 20 Credits.
  • Modelling and Simulation of Wastewater Treatment, 12 Credits.
  • Design of Biological Nutrient Removal Systems, 20 Credits.
  • Sewage Sludge Treatment, 8 Credits.
  • Sedimentation in Water Treatment, 8 Credits.
  • Contract Law, 12 Credits.
  • Activate Sludge System, 10 Credits.
  • Deterioration and Condition Assessment of Concrete Structures, 20 Credits.
  • Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures, 20 Credits.
  • Aquatic Chemistry, Part A, 14 Credits.
  • Aquatic Chemistry, Part B, 14 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of the discipline of water engineering and their application in practice.
    2. Demonstrate an advanced conceptual understanding, detailed factual knowledge, and specialist technical skills appropriate for a successful career as a specialist civil engineer in the construction, consulting and/or environmental industries.
    3. Activate a Sludge System.
    4. Understand Sedimentation in Water Treatment.
    5. Treat Sewage Sludge.
    6. Design Biological Nutrient Removal Systems.
    7. Model and Simulate Wastewater Treatment.
    8. Understand Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant Design.
    9. Understand Advanced Infrastructure Management.
    10. Understand Pressure Management in Water Distribution Systems.
    11. Carry out a mini research project.
    12. Deterioration and condition assessment of concrete structures.
    13. Repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures.
    14. Demonstrate understanding of Aquatic Chemistry. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Select and apply specialised ideas, concepts and data from both science and engineering, in order to generate creative and innovative designs, which provide optimal solutions.
  • Work effectively as an individual through self-guided learning and research.
  • Communicate to a wide range of audiences by means of well-prepared, clear and confident presentations and concise and grammatically correct written documents.
  • Plan, organise and prioritise work activities in order to meet deadlines.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify data relevant to a given water engineering scenario, through the employment of appropriate testing techniques.
  • Interpret identified data in a Water Engineering context.
  • Select and apply ideas, concepts and data, in order to generate creative and innovative designs, which provide optimal solutions to water engineering problems.
  • Communicate by means of well-prepared, clear and confident presentations and concise and grammatically correct written documents.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply mass balance principles to derive the steady state activated sludge model for energy reduction and nitrification.
  • Use the steady state model for design and analysis of activated sludge systems.
  • Check calculated and measured results with mass balance principles.
  • Calculate reactor OHO fraction, VSS, ISS, TSS and oxygen demand masses.
  • Select the required sludge age from considerations of waste sludge and effluent quality, oxygen demand and sludge production, nutrient removal and operations complexity.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Understand the physical phenomena affecting solid/liquid separation in settling tanks for water and wastewater treatment applications.
  • Apply column settling test data to size settling tanks for non-flocculent (class 1) and flocculent (class 2) settling.
  • Measure activated sludge settle ability with the different measures.
  • Know, understand and apply the flux theory and other design procedures to size and analyse wastewater treatment plant settling tanks.
  • Apply diagnostic tests to determine causes for high effluent suspended solids concentration.
  • Appreciate the complexity, capabilities and limitations of computational fluid dynamics modelling of settling tanks.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Understand qualitatively and calculate quantitatively the characteristics of Primary Sludge (PS) and Waste Activated Sludge's (WAS) from selected raw and settled wastewater characteristics.
  • Size and design gravity sedimentation and flotation thickening units.
  • Size volume and determine oxygen demand for aerobic digestion of PS and WAS from specified effluent quality, required sludge stabilisation, Degree of sludge thickening and selected oxygen transfer rate.
  • Size volume and determine gas production and digester pH for anaerobic digestion of PS and WAS for specified effluent quality, required sludge stabilisation and Degree of sludge thickening.
  • Calculate the N and P concentrations in sludge treatment liquors and assess the impact of recirculating these on wastewater treatment plant effluent quality.
  • Know strategies for nutrient reduction in sludge treatment liquors.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Understanding in detail the kinetics included in nitrification, denitrification and biological excess phosphorus removal models and the inter-action, capabilities and limitations.
  • Know the strength and weakness of the various ND and Biological Excess Phosphorus Removal (BEPR) system configurations.
  • Apply the steady state models to design and analysis of BNR plants to estimate reactor volume, oxygen demand and effluent quality.
  • Know quantitatively the effect of recent BNR system intensification strategies including membrane solid liquid separation or external nitrification.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Understand and have a working knowledge of the kinetics and mathematical formulations used to model OHO, ANO and PAO behaviour in aerobic, anoxic-aerobic and the anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic BNR systems.
  • Use UCTOLD (for ND) and UCTPHO (for NDBEPR) pre-coded programmes with sufficient critical insight to identify spurious output results by comparison the steady state model calculations.
  • Understand the complexity of filamentous bulking in BNR systems, current research for understanding the problem and proposed causes of filamentous organism proliferation and the approaches taken for their possible control.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Understand the wastewater treatment plant as an integrated whole rather than a sequence of unit operations.
  • Determine quantitatively the loads from upstream unit operations on downstream ones.
  • Calculate unit operations sizes from economic and technical considerations.
  • Undertake technical and economic evaluations of the whole wastewater treatment plant scheme.
  • Evaluate from economic and technical standpoints, the effect of including or excluding primary settling, influent flow balancing, aerobic or anaerobic digestion of primary and secondary sludge's.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Understand the components of an Infrastructure Management Plan.
  • Understand the various institutional arrangements.
  • Understand the processes necessary to prepare and implement an Infrastructure Management Plan.
  • Understand the tools required to prepare and implement an Infrastructure Management Plan.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Understand theory and application of water losses and pressure management in water distribution systems.
  • Know the Water loss components and methods.
  • Understand the impact of Pressure on leakage.
  • Know the Impact of pressure on other network parameters.
  • Understand specialist knowledge on Soil-leak interaction.
  • Understand specialist knowledge on Pressure management zones.
  • Understand the importance from specialist knowledge of Pressure control.
  • Master the details of Night flow analysis and pressure-leakage parameter estimation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Develop conceptual skills for conducting Master's Level research.
  • Carry out the research professionally and ethically.
  • Write up a research report and communicate findings to diverse audiences.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12
  • Understand concrete deterioration mechanisms.
  • Perform visual assessments of concrete structures.
  • Plan and execute condition assessments and damage surveys on concrete structures.
  • Rate damage observed.
  • Identify and apply of suitable assessment methods and techniques, including non-destructive equipment.
  • Write detailed method statements for condition assessments of concrete structures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13:
  • Identify suitable repair techniques, based on the outcome of a condition assessment.
  • Understand the limitations of the many repair techniques available.
  • Understand the composition, nature, and performance of various repair materials such as mortars, concrete, sealants, coatings, etc.
  • Specify repair material performance requirements and associated test methods.
  • Write detailed specifications for concrete repair projects.
  • Provide basic design layouts for Cathodic Protection Systems for Reverse Circulation (RC) structures.
  • Develop repair philosophies and maintenance plans for aging RC structures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14:
  • Determine Aqueous pH from a given mixture of weak and strong acid/basis from a proton balance.
  • Know quantitatively the in-relationships between the equilibrium constant, log species potential of Hydrogen (pH) diagrams, buffer capacity and alkalinity, acidity and pH for mon-, di- and tri-protic weak acid/bases.
  • Determine whether or not a given water is supersaturated or under-saturated with respect to carbon dioxide, magnesium or calcium carbonate minerals.
  • Calculate dosage concentrations of common water-treatment chemicals to change a water from a measured state to a desired state.
  • Understand the meaning of alkalinity and acidity in mixed acid/base systems and measure these parameters with various Gran titrations and the 5 point titration.
  • Calculate mineral precipitation potentials of calcium and magnesium carbonate and phosphate minerals and the pH changes these result in.
  • Construct redox (PE) versus pH diagrams from chemical thermodynamic data for common systems in water and wastewater treatment such as the iron, manganese, nitrogen, chlorine and sulphur systems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment takes the form of integrated Formative and Summative Assessments consisting of assignments tests and examinations.

    The modules include project assignments, which take the form of research papers and practical tasks. Modules may contain a coursework component, which is also used as a formative assessment to provide developmental feedback to learners. Most modules also include an examination. Where there are no examinations, the use of methodologies such as ongoing assignments is available. There is no work integrated learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The modules in this qualification are similar to international Institution courses in water engineering in both scope and content.

    1. The Master of Water Engineering curriculum and course content has been:
    1.1 Adopted at the UNESCO-IHE (Delft, Netherlands), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Padua University.
    1.2 Is published in the International Water Association (IWA) Publishing book "Biological Wastewater. Treatment - Principles, Modelling and Design" which since 2008 has become IWA Publishing's 2nd bestseller (499 citations).

    2. Cranfield University in the United Kingdom (UK) offers a Master of Science in Water Quality Engineering which is similar in its practical orientation but includes a group project and work placement: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/courses/taught/water-and-wastewater-engineering.

    3. Carnegie Mellon University offers a similar Master of Science for civil engineers in Water Quality Engineering and Science Concentration. Similarities are found is some of the physical and chemical content and the focus on infrastructure. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Engineering, Level 9 in related fields.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Engineering, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.