Elements and Performance Criteria

Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
federal legislation, such as:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:
land use, acquisition, planning and protection
environmental protection
pollution and contaminated sites
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS/NZS 2031:2001 Selection of containers and preservation of water samples for microbiological analysis
AS 3550 series - Water analysis
AS/NZS 4276 series - Water microbiology
AS/NZS 5667 series - Water quality - sampling
US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Methods and guidance for the analysis of water
American Public Health Association (APHA) Standard methods for the examination of waters and wastewaters
ANZECC Guidelines for fresh and marine water quality
Australian Guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting
enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols
equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks
government policy (e.g. environmental protection and impact assessment)
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice
site-specific requirements
Water quality measurement parameters (field and laboratory)
Water quality measurement parameters may include:
physical and chemical tests, such as:
temperature
electrical conductivity
phosphorus (total and soluble reactive)
nitrogen (nitrate, organic, ammonia and Kjeldahl)
ratio of total phosphorus to total nitrogen
total organic carbon (TOC)
dissolved organic carbon (DOC)
biological oxygen demand (BOD)
chemical oxygen demand (COD)
true colour (Pt/Co units)
turbidity
Secchi disk depth
total suspended solids
volatile suspended solids
chlorophyll and phaeophytin
pH
silica
metals (total and dissolved)
organic and inorganic pollutants
microorganisms
ecotoxicological tests, such as:
toxicity tests (bioassays) using bacteria, algae, invertebrates and fish
use of biomarkers and bioaccumulation
ecological assessment (e.g. Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) for rapid assessment of health using macro invertebrates)
Sampling and field monitoring equipment
Sampling and field monitoring equipment may include:
bottle sampling containers (e.g. glass, polyethylene and plastic)
pumping systems for shallow depths, depth samplers, automatic samplers and integrating samplers
groundwater sampling systems
sediment sampling systems
samplers for aquatic organisms, such as nets, traps, cages, hose pipe, sticks and modified brushes
reagents, such as acid washes, electrode filling and storage solutions, and preservatives
filters, such as membrane, microfiber and paper
parameter specific meter or multi-probes (e.g. dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature)
field test kits to determine such parameters as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E. coli and BOD
portable colorimeters, field microscopes
data loggers and global positioning system (GPS)
Water quality reports
Water quality reports may include:
weekly and monthly environmental reports
non-conformance report form
contributions to regulatory agency reports as required by permit, approval or licence conditions
Water quality records
Water quality records may include:
digital photographs of water quality monitoring sites
data files
records required by permit, approval or licence conditions
records of monitoring equipment purchase, calibration, inspection, maintenance and service
records of complaints and government requests
records of water quality non-conformances, incidents or significant impacts
contractor and supplier information
internal quality/environmental audit reports
electronic/hard copy correspondence
records of approved expenditure and orders
Water quality management actions
Water quality management actions will vary greatly with the type of site and industrial processes involved and may include:
correct handling and storage of chemicals and fuels to prevent spills to wetlands and stormwater system
minimising water consumption through substitution, water efficient devices and recycling/reuse
scheduling of works to enable disturbed areas to be promptly re-vegetated or stabilised progressively
regular inspection and maintenance of sediment control structures and stormwater drainage pits
keeping stormwater run-off free of litter, gross pollutants and contaminants
diversion of clean run-off away from disturbed areas
use of vegetated swale drains and filter strips
use of erosion control structures, such as silt fences, sand bags and geofabric wrapped hay bales
checking water for contaminants before disposal
controlling the timing, frequency and magnitude of water releases from the site
controlling access of feral/stock and domestic animals to wetlands
limiting disturbance of wetlands, riparian areas and drainage channels by vehicles and/or boats
OHS and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

Overview of assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
planning and implementing the day-to-day water quality management activities for a site, project or ongoing program
explaining water quality management plans, procedures, sampling/monitoring methods and operation of monitoring equipment clearly and accurately
verifying the accuracy and completeness of water quality data, results and technical records
investigating unexpected or unacceptable water quality results in a logical and efficient manner
reporting water quality results, performance and opportunities for improvements in accordance with enterprise procedures
maintaining water quality records in accordance with legislative/licensing/enterprise requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSS027011A Select, commission and maintain environmental monitoring instruments.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
site/project/program history
relevant legislation, codes, standards, enterprise environmental management policies, plans, actions, procedures, checklists and equipment manuals
water quality data sets, records and reports
sampling methods and description of monitoring set-up, and access to monitoring, sampling and testing equipment
computer and relevant software or enterprise information management system.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of water quality management data files, results and records verified by the candidate
feedback from managers and site personnel regarding the candidate’s ability to safely coordinate day-to-day water quality management activities
review of reports and recommended improvements for water quality monitoring or management prepared by the candidate
questions to assess understanding of procedures governing the validation of data; acceptability of data/results; sources of water quality data variability, interferences and uncertainty; and relevant preventative or corrective actions
analysis of case studies/reports of relevant water quality management issues and incidents
observation of the candidate providing water quality management information and/or instruction to other personnel.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment