NZQA Expiring unit standard
25135 version 2
Page 1 of 6
Title
Plan and design, and prepare a design report and drawings, for
irrigation systems
Level
6
Credits
Purpose
30
This unit standard is for people who design irrigation systems.
People credited with this unit standard are able to, in
accordance with the Irrigation Design Code of Practice: consult
with the client, and establish a design brief for an irrigation
system; determine irrigation system design parameters; select
an irrigation method; design the irrigation system; and prepare
a design report and drawings in accordance with organisational
procedures.
Classification
Water Industry > Irrigation
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Legislation, regulations, and guidelines relevant to this unit standard include but are
not limited to the Health Act 1956, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992,
Building Act 2004, Resource Management Act 1991, national policy statements,
regional resource management plans, and local bylaws.
2
Reference
The INZ Irrigation Design Code of Practice and Irrigation Design Standards, referred
to as the Irrigation Design Code of Practice is available from Irrigation New Zealand,
http://www.irrigationnz.co.nz/media/CoP.pdf.
3
In the context of this unit standard, plan and design may also refer to upgrade of
existing irrigation systems.
4
Assessment
Each of the following systems are required to be assessed against – fixed, movable,
micro-irrigation.
5
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are those found in the Irrigation Design Code of
Practice.
6
Definition
Organisational procedures – the verbal and written instructions to staff on procedures
for communication with clients.
This unit standard is
expiring
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
7
25135 version 2
Page 2 of 6
Credit for this unit standard does not qualify the candidate to work in a drainlaying
situation that comes under the drainlayers licence requirements issued under the
Plumber, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 and any subsequent amendments.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Consult with the client, and establish a design brief for an irrigation system in accordance
with the Irrigation Design Code of Practice.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Consultation establishes client needs and irrigation system parameters, and
timeline for continuation of investigation.
Range
consent requirements, terms and conditions of agreements, costs
for investigation and design to date, human resource
requirements.
1.2
Property information is assessed in accordance with the Irrigation Design Code
of Practice to determine its implications on the proposed irrigation system.
1.3
Identification of a reliable water source meets the requirements of the proposed
irrigation system.
1.4
Initial investigation of external factors is carried out to determine their effect on
the proposed irrigation system design in accordance with the Irrigation Design
Code of Practice.
Outcome 2
This unit standard is
Evidence requirements
expiring
Select an irrigation system method in accordance with the Irrigation Design Code of
Practice.
2.1
Irrigation system method selected meets the irrigation design brief, and
irrigation design parameters.
2.2
Selected irrigation system method and layout takes into consideration property
constraints.
Range
2.3
topography, soil properties, human resources for operation,
environment of property, water supply characteristics, health and
safety issues, legal and regulatory requirements, expansion
strategy, system flexibility, automation, capital and annual ongoing
costs, costs of alternative solutions.
Variations from design brief and design parameters of irrigation system method
against assessed need are determined.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
25135 version 2
Page 3 of 6
Outcome 3
Design the irrigation system in accordance with the Irrigation Design Code of Practice.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Positioning and performance of sprinklers and emitters are consistent with
irrigation system design brief, and design parameters.
3.2
Pipeline design is consistent with the Irrigation Design Code of Practice.
Range
3.3
friction loss, velocity, hydraulic gradient.
Pumps and motors selected are consistent with irrigation system design brief,
and design parameters.
Range
net positive suction head (NPSH), pump flow rate(s), pump head;
pump efficiency; matched to driver, power.
3.4
Electrical system design is consistent with irrigation system design brief, and
design parameters.
3.5
Control systems including valving are selected in accordance with irrigation
system design.
Range
Irrigation Design Code of Practice Section 4.2.12.
3.6
The level, method, and capacity of filtration, and size of filters selected matches
irrigation system type, required irrigation system performance, water source
quality, and manufacturer’s guidelines for pressure.
3.7
Backflow prevention devices are selected for all irrigation systems in
accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and statutory requirements.
3.8
3.9
This unit standard is
System performance, water use and measurement, and soil moisture
measurement are consistent
with design brief, and design parameters.
expiring
Irrigation system design includes analysis of capital and operating costs, for
investment optimisation.
Outcome 4
Determine irrigation system design parameters in accordance with the Irrigation Design
Code of Practice.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Water consent requirements and conditions related to the proposed irrigation
system are identified in accordance with regulatory requirements.
4.2
Irrigation system design includes water access details and water availability.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
Range
4.3
soil water holding capacity, crop rooting depth, allowable
depletion, net and gross application depth.
Effective soil infiltration rate and maximum irrigation application rate are
determined.
Range
4.5
water access includes but is not limited to – easements,
groundwater factors, surface water factors;
water availability includes but is not limited to – possible water
restrictions, risk of shortfalls, alternative water supply.
Irrigation system design matches soil-crop conditions through analysis of soilcrop-water relationships.
Range
4.4
25135 version 2
Page 4 of 6
minimise ponding, surface redistribution.
Selection of irrigation system type minimises or eliminates problems with impact
of water on soil.
Range
minimise droplet impact on breakdown of soil structure, soil
erosion.
4.6
Application uniformity to be achieved by the irrigation system is determined.
4.7
Irrigation system capacity meets agreed water demands of all crops irrigated
within the design area.
Range
climate, crop factors, crop demand, level of farmer’s risk taking,
hours of operation per day;
location, depth, frequency of irrigation.
This unit standard is
expiring
4.8
Potential application efficiency to be achieved is determined.
4.9
Irrigation system design allows control of operation in a manner which meets
client needs, is easily started and stopped, can be run for varying times, and
operates within the constraints of the system.
4.10
Assessment of the irrigation system design is carried out to ensure compliance
with regional regulations, legislation and bylaws, and consistency with KPIs.
Outcome 5
Prepare a design report and drawings in accordance with the Irrigation Design Code of
Practice and organisational procedures.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Report identifies irrigation system supplier and client details for the irrigation
system design.
5.2
Report identifies design brief and parameters.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
25135 version 2
Page 5 of 6
5.3
Report contains design summary of KPIs and their relation to standard range for
each KPI, variations from KPI standard ranges, implications and consequences.
5.4
Report identifies irrigation system design specifications, explanation of
variations from design brief and design parameters, and their implications.
5.5
Report identifies irrigation system technical analysis for justification of chosen
design.
includes but is not limited to – flow pressure calculations, energy
use efficiency, environmental performance, cost-benefit analysis.
Range
5.6
Report presents irrigation system technical supporting information for
justification for chosen design and analysis.
Range
5.7
pump characteristic curves showing duty points, sprinkler or
dripper performance curves; specifications for – irrigators,
pipelines, electrical equipment.
Report identifies bill of materials and associated rate and cost with clear
description of items and services to be provided under the contract.
materials list; financial information – total cost, equipment costs,
installation costs, variations to costs; expected operating costs,
delivery times and variations.
Range
5.8
Report includes drawings with all key items located, with accurate locations,
and sizes of key components in the system including items buried underground.
Range
clear and concise, readable, drawn to scale.
This unit
standard is
This unit standard and unit standards 25139, 24140,
25141, 20956 have been replaced by unit standard
28932
expiring
Replacement information
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
17 October 2008
31 December 2020
Review
2
20 August 2015
31 December 2020
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0179
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
25135 version 2
Page 6 of 6
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR 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.
This unit standard is
expiring
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016