Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct a water audit in an organisation, or part or all of a value chain.
This unit applies to a water use audit conducted to assist in regulatory compliance or as part of a strategy to improve the sustainability of operations. The emphasis in the unit is on informing decision making regarding water use.
This unit applies to a manager or technical specialist who has a major responsibility for sustainability as part of a broader work role or sustainability may be their primary work responsibility. The manager or technical specialist may undertake this alone or as part of a team.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Identify all sources and uses of water in process | 1.1 | Identify and categorise by quality all sources of water external to the site |
1.2 | Identify and categorise by quality all sources of water within the site | ||
1.3 | Identify all uses of water by process and category | ||
1.4 | Identify water quality required by each process unit | ||
2 | Calculate theoretical use of water | 2.1 | Calculate theoretical net use of water for each process unit |
2.2 | Calculate overall water balance for process or site | ||
2.3 | Evaluate the need for water consumption and water quality by process and units within the process compared to alternative processes or units | ||
3 | Measure actual use of water | 3.1 | Calculate actual net water use for overall process or site |
3.2 | Calculate actual net water use for each process unit | ||
3.3 | Calculate difference between theoretical and actual water use by unit and overall | ||
3.4 | Identify actual water quality used by each process unit | ||
4 | Develop strategies for reducing the use of water | 4.1 | Rank units by difference between theoretical and actual water use |
4.2 | Rank units by actual water use | ||
4.3 | Identify units using higher quality water than required | ||
4.4 | Develop strategies to reduce water consumption and use lower quality water | ||
5 | Prepare a report for a water use reduction strategy | 5.1 | Consult with key stakeholders |
5.2 | Identify strategies required to meet regulatory requirements | ||
5.3 | Rank strategies by cost-benefit ratio | ||
5.4 | Short-list preferred water reduction strategies | ||
5.5 | Write report to provide recommendation for improving water usage | ||
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Sustainable operations