Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:02 PM AWST

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Implement and manage the operation and maintenance of irrigation delivery systems

Implement and manage the operation and maintenance of irrigation delivery systems

Unit of competency
National Code
NWP530B
State Code
D1978
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
30/04/2012
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/11/2014
Field of Education
030907 - Water And Sanitary Engineering
Original Release Date
06/11/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to cover the activities associated with the implementation and management of the operation and maintenance of irrigation delivery systems, including system performance analysis, customer liaison and planning.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Implement the irrigation system management plan.
  • 1.1 Confirm performance measures for the irrigationsystem management plan.
  • 1.2 Access and interpret historic system information to inform the implementation process.
  • 1.3 Inform and educate stakeholders about the system management plan.
  • 1.4 Develop management plan components and activities for implementation.
  • 1.5 Develop the implementation plan in conformance with legislation, organisational and environmental requirements.
  • 1.6 Determine responsibilities and timelines for the implementation activities.
2 Monitor and evaluate the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system.
  • 2.1 Plan, perform and report on monitoring and testing procedures to identify deviations of planned water system quantity, quality, release and flow rates.
  • 2.2 Evaluate delivery of water to customers (timeliness, volume and flow rates) and identify, investigate and report deviations from agreed service.
  • 2.3 Evaluate maintenance budgets, activity programs and output target measures and identify, investigate and report deviations from targets.
  • 2.4 Identify and document links between operational problems and maintenance activities.
3 Report on the implementation of the irrigation system management plan.
  • 3.1 Identify, investigate and report deviations of planned water usage, quality and management plan procedures.
  • 3.2 Review objectives of the management and implementation plans.
  • 3.3 Make recommendations for changes to plan objectives and operational and maintenance procedures.
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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
The irrigation system management plan may include:
service levels
capital investment
maintenance levels
Historic system information may include:
previous studies
impact of weather
relevant hydrometric information
previous system deliveries
previous flow rates and operational procedures
Stakeholders may include:
customers
government
farmer and grower associations
downstream land holders
other water authorities
employees
customer representative committees
land care or similar active groups
local communities
Legislation may include:
relevant federal legislation
relevant state or territory legislation
relevant local government by-laws or planning instruments
board or authority by-laws
Environmental requirements may include:
environmental flows
chemicals
nutrients
salinity
downstream requirements
Monitoring and testing may include:
timeliness of deliveries
flow
input and output quality
testing procedures
frequency
sampling locations
budgets
physical achievement targets
operational procedures
number of complaints
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the 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 cover the activities associated with the implementation and management of the operation and maintenance of irrigation delivery systems including:
gathering, interpreting and synthesising information (including historical data, current legislation and standards, stakeholder views and the results of irrigation system testing and monitoring) to underpin the implementation of the irrigation management plan
planning and implementing testing processes and programs
monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of the irrigation system management plan
providing advice and communicating with stakeholders and users
preparing reports and recommendations for future action
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/or 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 should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's 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 (RCC/RPL), 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 project-based 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AVY89 NWPIRR071 Implement and coordinate irrigation delivery systems Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
D247 NWP50107 Diploma of Water Operations Qualification