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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Determine design requirements
  2. Define pumping and power systems
  3. Design an irrigation distribution system
  4. Design a drainage, storage and treatment system
  5. Determine capital expense budget
  6. Determine operating expense budget

Evidence Required

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole

Competence in designing irrigation drainage and water treatment systems requires evidence that a person can identify design requirements determine specifications for suitable pumping and power systems design distribution drainage storage and treatment systems and determine capital and operating expense budgets for the system designed

The skills and knowledge required to design irrigation drainage and water treatment systems must be transferable to a different work environment For example if a system is designed for particular plantscrops and soil type using a fully computerised spray irrigation and chemical water treatment systems it should be evident that a system could be designed for different plantscrops in different soil using manually operated surface irrigation and natural drainage and treatment systems

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below

design processes

developments in irrigation technology

drainage and storage development technology

latest treatment technology

automatic control and monitoring systems

waste management and environmental issues

budgeting contractual development and obligations

environmental protection agency regulations

environmental impacts of irrigation drainage and water treatment using water from any ground or underground source

costbenefit analysis

enterprise policies and procedures

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required These include the ability to

collect and analyse information

identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation drainage and water treatment activities and appropriate remedial action

identify design requirements

develop specifications

compare costings

develop budgets

document outcomes

develop and implement relevant enterprise OHS and environmental procedures

What processes should be applied to this competency standard

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions Some of these are covered by the key competencies although others may be added The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where not required perform the process perform and administer the process and perform administer and design the process

How can communication of ideas and information be applied

Checking power supply design specifications with power authorities

How can information be collected analysed and organised

Identifying environmentally sensitive areas

How are activities planned and organised

Developing construction plans and specifications

How can team work be applied

Obtaining detailed topographic information

How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied

Calculating design specifications costings and budgets

How can problemsolving skills be applied

Determining water use and availability and breakdowns with systems components

How can the use of technology be applied

Designing computerised irrigation systems and documenting decisions

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one

This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function

There is essential information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance and where and how it may be assessed in the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package All users of these competency standards must have access to the Assessment Guidelines Further advice may also be sought from the relevant sector booklet

Range Statement

Range of Variables

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available

What reuse systems might be designed?

These may include disinfestation and filtering equipment.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?

Consideration should be given at the design stage to the health and safety of workers who will be involved in activities associated with irrigation installation in respect to machinery, equipment operation and chemical use.

Why might power supply design specification be checked with power authorities?

This may require compliance with the standard specification legislation and regulations of the relevant State or Territory water and power authorities.

What irrigation distribution systems might be relevant to this standard?

Micro-irrigation systems may include drip, mains pressure, low pressure, below surface, above surface, emitter trickle, t-tape, and mini-sprinklers, capillary, ebb and flow, and flood systems.

Spray irrigation systems may include travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type) centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift.

Surface irrigation systems may include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another.

Systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

Distribution systems are evaluated and designed with respect to which key variables?

These may include the ability to target like soils and crops, efficiency of water use in various crop/weather situations, wind breaks to support irrigation where appropriate, uniformity of distribution, and use of specialist irrigation consultants.

What standards of uniformity and efficiency will apply to water application?

This will vary from system to system.

How might budget expenses be documented?

This may vary according to budget, environmental constraints, owner preferences and quoting procedures.

For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet.