24929 version 1
Page 1 of 3
Demonstrate knowledge of biosolids management in wastewater
treatment
Level
4
Credits
10
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: the purpose of
biosolids management; dewatering in biosolids management; biosolids return
options for return to the environment; and process tests and the
environmental impact of biosolids management options, in wastewater
treatment.
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.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 17883.
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
1
Definitions
Biosolids are sewage sludges or sewage sludges mixed with other materials that
have been treated and/or stabilised to the extent that they can be safely returned to
the environment.
Wastewater includes stormwater and sewage systems.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
24929 version 1
Page 2 of 3
2
Assessment
For the purposes of assessment against element 2, one process option can be used
to assess multiple range items.
3
Reference
New Zealand Water and Wastes Association, Guidelines for the safe application of
biosolids to land in New Zealand, August 2003. ISBN 1-877134-43-0.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Describe the purpose of biosolids management in wastewater treatment.
Performance criteria
1.1
Biosolids are described in terms of their characteristics.
1.2
Biosolids are described in terms of the way in which their characteristics
determine disposal options.
Range
includes but is not limited to – typical volumes, water content
nutrients and soil conditioner values, pathogen levels, heavy
metals.
Element 2
Describe dewatering in biosolids management in wastewater treatment.
Range
one of each – mechanical, thermal, gravity.
Performance criteria
2.1
Biosolids dewatering process options are described in terms of inputs, outputs
and mode of operation.
2.2
The chemical biosolids dewatering process options are described in terms of
their optimisation.
Element 3
Describe biosolids return options for return to the environment in wastewater treatment.
Range
includes but is not limited to – land and forest application, composting, landfills,
incineration.
Performance criteria
3.1
Biosolids are described in terms of the features of return options.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
24929 version 1
Page 3 of 3
3.2
Biosolids return options are described in terms of the advantages and
disadvantages.
Range
evidence is required for at least three advantages and three
disadvantages for each option.
Element 4
Describe process tests and the environmental impact of biosolids management options in
wastewater treatment.
Range
biosolids management options – land and forest application, composting,
landfills, incineration.
Performance criteria
4.1
Process tests are described for each biosolids management option.
Range
4.2
includes but is not limited to – moisture, organic, inorganic,
toxicity, nutrient determination, leachate testing, pH, plume
constituents, heavy metals.
Each biosolids management option is described in terms of the impact on the
environment.
Range
includes but is not limited to – sustainability of forest applications,
odour control, energy requirements.
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