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.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by testing spa water quality and applying appropriate treatment to respond to identified water quality problems.

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

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

collect samples of spa water for testing

test spa water quality using appropriate equipment

interpret test results and implement treatment processes for identified spa water quality problems

comply with safety requirements when sampling, testing and treating spa water

report on outcomes of testing and treating spa water.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context and is to comply with relevant regulatory and Australian Standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

relevant codes, standards and government regulations

a technical reference library with current publications on:

spa water quality parameters

hot water chemistry

spa water contamination

treatment processes for water problems in spas.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the CPP07 Property Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Required skills

communication skills to interact in an ethical manner with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds

decision-making and problem-solving skills to identify types and appropriate treatments for spa water quality problems

literacy skills to read and interpret regulatory and manufacturer’s guidelines for testing and treating spa water problems

numeracy skills to perform calculations related to spa water treatment

research skills to identify and locate online support for performing calculations related to treating spa water problems

technology skills to use spa water sampling and testing equipment

Required knowledge

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission product safety guidelines

causes and remedies of backwash discharge

chemical dosing benefits and techniques

common spa water problems, reasons and remedies:

bather eye irritation

chlorine odour

cloudy water

discoloured water

green water

metal fixtures corroding

scale

water has dark appearance

commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations, and Australian standards impacting on spa water quality related to:

chemicals

dangerous goods

environment protection

environmental health

microbiological standards for spas

spas

waste disposal

work health and safety

disinfection practice:

chlorine chemistry

disinfectants:

bromine

chlorine

ozone

ultraviolet light - hydrogen peroxide

dosing frequency

principles

means

health problems associated with spas:

dermatitis

gastro intestinal infection

heat stress

legionnaires’ disease

medications

respiratory infection

skin irritation

hot water chemistry:

chemical overdosing

foaming

hardness

pH and total alkalinity

suspended and dissolved solids

water clarity

water temperature

hot water health benefits

infectious agents that grow in spas

microorganisms found in spa water:

algae

bacteria

protozoa

virus

spa filters:

cleaning

inspection

microbial load

purpose

types

spa water contamination: causes and remedies

spa water testing:

frequency

methods

microbiological monitoring

parameters

procedures

test kit care

treatments for spa water problems:

reasons for treatment techniques

treatment techniques:

determining and correcting pH level

sanitising the spa

shock dosing

determining and correcting total alkalinity

water replacement

water balancing:

balance factors

calcium hardness

pH

principles

saturation index

temperature

total alkalinity

total dissolved salts

water quality:

filtration effectiveness

impact of number of users on spa water quality

microbial load

water chemistry:

chemical composition

chemical imbalance and its consequences

ways of rectifying chemical imbalance

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Risks may include:

microbiological:

amoebae

legionella species

mycobacterium avium and similar mycobacteria

pseudomonas aeruginosa

non-microbiological:

chemical

confined spaces

electrical

entrapment

manual handling

slips and trips

thermal.

Routine spa water tests include:

concentration of disinfectant in use

determining and correcting pH level

microbiological monitoring

determining and correcting total alkalinity.

Spa water microbiological testing may include:

coliform count

cryptosporidium

legionella

pseudomonas aeruginosa

standard plate count

staphylococcus.

Spa water quality includes:

clarity levels

microbiological count

pH.

Spa water treatment procedures may include:

changing spa water

determining and correcting pH level

sanitising the spa

shock dosing

determining and correcting total alkalinity

using chemical dosing equipment.