17877 version 2
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Operate and monitor a wastewater treatment plant
Level
4
Credits
18
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: operate and monitor a
wastewater treatment plant; and collect, record, and complete reports on
wastewater treatment plant process data.
Subfield
Water Industry
Domain
Wastewater Treatment
Status
Registered
Status date
19 September 2008
Date version published
19 September 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry
and teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0179
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
Definition
Organisational procedures – instructions to staff, and procedures which are documented in
memo or manual format and are available in the workplace. These requirements include
but are not limited to – site specific requirements, manufacturers’ specifications, product
quality specifications, and legislative or regulatory requirements.
Wastewater includes stormwater and sewage systems.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
17877 version 2
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Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Operate a wastewater treatment plant.
Performance criteria
1.1
Process system adjustments are made to enhance system performance in
accordance with organisational procedures.
Range
1.2
discharge consent conditions plus any two of – scraper and
skimmer speeds, sludge wasting frequency, recycling ratios,
aeration operation frequency, digestor temperature, pond
condition.
Process operating faults and operational conditions of plant are identified,
repaired and reported in accordance with organisational procedures.
Range
mechanical breakdowns and blockages, sludge lifting, breaches of
discharge consent conditions.
Element 2
Monitor a wastewater treatment plant.
Performance criteria
2.1
Routine plant inspections are carried out in accordance with organisational
procedures.
Range
2.2
Process samples are collected in accordance with organisational procedures.
Range
2.3
routine plant inspections may include but are not limited to – visual
observations, checking mechanical equipment, completing record
sheets.
samples collected may include but are not limited to – grab,
comparable, flow proportional, Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD), suspended solids, settleability, nitrogen, biological;
evidence is required for at least three.
Processes are monitored and recorded to maintain parameters of operation
within organisational procedures.
Range
flow constraints, discharge consent conditions, expected unit
treatment process effectiveness, sample taking.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
17877 version 2
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Element 3
Collect, record, and complete reports on wastewater treatment plant process data.
Performance criteria
3.1
Process data is collected and recorded in accordance with organisational
procedures.
Range
3.2
process data may include but is not limited to – flow meter
records, weather conditions, non-routine events analytical data,
problem occurrence and remedy, site calculation records;
evidence is required for at least three.
Reports are compiled from plant and system data, and actions taken in
accordance with organisational procedures.
Range
reports may include but are not limited to – efficiency of
mechanical equipment, the effects of non-routine events,
calibration data of instruments, breaches of discharge consent
conditions;
evidence is required for at least three.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016