NZQA registered unit standard
Title
Perform analysis of water
Level
6
8444 version 6
Page 1 of 3
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the
distribution of the components of natural waters; carry out the
sampling and analysis of water; and calculate concentrations of
chemical species in water.
Classification
Science > Chemistry
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
All work must be carried out in accordance with the quality management system,
documented protocol system or Standard Operating Procedures typically acceptable
in a commercial or research laboratory.
2
Health and Safety practices must conform to Australian/New Zealand Standard
AS/NZS 2243:2006 Set – Safety in Laboratories Parts 1, 2, 3, 7, and 10 available at
http://www.standards.co.nz and http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store.
3
Legislation applicable to this unit standard includes:
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996;
Resource Management Act 1991.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the distribution of the components of natural waters.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Vertical distribution of components is outlined in terms of non-flowing natural
waters.
Range
may include – biounlimited, biolimited, biointermediate, trace
metals, oxygen (O2), impounded waters, oceans, temperature.
1.2
Processes influencing chemical behaviour are outlined in relation to estuaries.
1.3
Processes influencing composition are outlined in relation to ground waters.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
8444 version 6
Page 2 of 3
1.4
Metal ion complex formation and its importance are described in relation to
toxicity.
1.5
pH value change is described in terms of the water source.
Range
may include – lake, river, coastal water, ground water, industrial
water.
Outcome 2
Carry out the sampling and analysis of water.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Sampling plan is devised in accordance with analytical requirements.
Range
2.2
sampling protocols, pre-treatment, preservatives, storage times,
bottle types.
Representative sample is collected in accordance with the sampling plan.
Range
one of – lake, river, coastal water, ground water, industrial water.
2.3
Preservation of sample is carried out in accordance with sampling plan.
2.4
Analysis of sample is carried out in accordance with standard methods.
Range
may include – chlorinity, titration alkalinity, total hardness,
dissolved oxygen, micronutrient concentration, pH, residual
chlorine, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand;
evidence for analysis of two contrasting types of water is required.
Outcome 3
Calculate concentrations of chemical species in water.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Contributions to alkalinity are calculated using experimental data in accordance
with standard calculation procedures.
3.2
Equilibrium concentration of oxygen is calculated using partial pressure data in
accordance with standard calculation procedures.
Planned review date
31 December 2017
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
8444 version 6
Page 3 of 3
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
22 December 1996
31 December 2014
Revision
2
19 February 1998
31 December 2014
Review
3
23 November 1999
31 December 2014
Review
4
22 September 2004
31 December 2014
Review
5
18 June 2010
31 December 2016
Rollover and
Revision
6
27 January 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0152
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
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.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016