Required skills

investigate and report on operational or control system problems

coordinate activated sludge and BNR treatment process inspection sampling and testing

perform various calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions such as FM ratio MCRT return and wasting rates

operate control and communication systems

use safety and personal protective equipment

communicate with colleagues consultants and suppliers

produce optimisation reports

interpret a range of complex and technical documents including relevant

regulatory legislative licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

articulate complex ideas clearly

work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders

analyse problems and recommend appropriate remedial solutions

identify and respond to risks and hazards

identify opportunities for improved water management

participate in the provision of appropriate information to inform workplace processes

manage work priorities

use information effectively to improve work performance

prepare and apply chemical dosing

Required knowledge

principles that form the basis of activated sludge treatment processes

principles that form the basis of biological nutrient removal BNR activated sludge treatment processes such as nitrification and denitrification enhanced biological P removal

types of activated sludge and BNR activated sludge treatment processes

activated sludge and BNR microbiology

selectors

membrane bioreactors MBR

pH and alkalinity

prefermenters

chemical and nutrient dosing requirements

inhibitory substances

bulking and foaming

system layout

principles of activated sludge and BNR system maintenance

control and communication systems

relevant historical records

range of appropriate measuring and testing procedures

investigation procedures

risk management principles related to activated sludge and BNR treatment processes

relevant legislation standards and workplace policies and procedures

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to evaluate system performance and investigate and report on optimisation of activated sludge treatment processes in maintaining water quality including

reviewing existing activated sludge or BNR treatment process performance with reference to historical data differences in raw water quality and plant configuration

identifying data deficiencies and organising additional data collection through appropriate sampling and testing

assessing fault reports and investigating the current operational status of activated sludge or BNR treatment process plant components

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the determined activated sludge or BNR treatment process optimisation options

preparing reports making recommendations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes standards and government regulations

Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the persons competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition RCCRPL the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated projectbased activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed

Organisational or legislative requirements may include:

Processes may include:

Manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications may include:

Influent quality may include:

Testing may include:

Plant components may include:

Potential changes to operational processes may include: