SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Monitor water quality 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116077  Monitor water quality 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner achieving this unit standard will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of water quality to agriculture and to monitor and maintain water quality using established procedures. In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of agriculture and water management.

Learners will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural practices as applied in the animal-, plant and mixed farming sub fields. The application of maintaining water quality practices in primary agriculture is focussed on in this unit standard.

They will be able to participate in, undertake and plan farming practices with knowledge of their environment. A culture of maintenance and care will be instilled for both the environment as well as towards farming infrastructure and operations by this unit standard. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standard, or equivalent:
  • NQF1: Maintain basic water quality 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of water quality management. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Quality factors for water include but are not limited to temperature, dissolved gasses such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, COD, water insoluble solids and dissolved minerals and organic load. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding is demonstrated of the effects of certain physical quality factors, and it is related to a relevant agricultural product species. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A basic understanding of the effects of certain chemical quality factors is demonstrated and it is related to a relevant agricultural product species. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Physical and chemical knowledge regarding water quality attributes is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of water quality to agriculture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of water quality on plants and animals in agriculture is demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Agricultural plants and animals include but are not limited to mammals, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, and mollusks, and crop plants.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An understanding of processes implemented to improve water quality is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to sample and monitor water quality factors are demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Quality factors for water include but are not limited to temperature, dissolved gasses such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, COD, water insoluble solids and dissolved minerals and organic load.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an ability to monitor and perform basic water quality tests and analyses. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Quality maintenance tasks including water aeration, inlet and outlet screening, inlet and outlet level and flow control, degassing and filtration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to monitor and sample water sources is demonstrated and it is prepared for analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to perform simple water quality tests to determine water quality is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to report meaningfully on water quality tests is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an ability to perform and understand maintenance tasks on certain operational technical systems related to water quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to perform maintenance on water quality control systems is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to manage chemical and physical requisites related to water quality control systems is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to report meaningfully on water quality systems' maintenance is demonstrated. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • The names and functions of water quality maintenance systems and components.
  • The names and attributes of water quality factors.
  • Sensory cues related to water quality.
  • The purpose of understanding the need for water quality knowledge.
  • Procedures related to the maintenance and testing of water quality.
  • Rules and regulations related to water.
  • Basic report writing skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving: Relates to specific outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an ability to monitor and perform basic water quality tests and analyses.
  • Demonstrate an ability to perform and understand maintenance tasks on certain operational technical systems related to water quality. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Team Work: Relates to specific outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of water to agriculture.
  • Demonstrate an ability to monitor and perform basic water quality tests and analyses.
  • Demonstrate an ability to perform and understand maintenance tasks on certain operational technical systems related to water quality. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self Management: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting information: Relates to specific outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an ability to monitor and perform basic water quality tests and analyses.
  • Demonstrate an ability to perform and understand maintenance tasks on certain operational technical systems related to water quality. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and technology: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Related systems: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self development: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Certain plant species grow in water, but water is needed by all plant and animal life for life. All the land and aquatic animal organisms' bodily functions are performed in water. Because water is totally depended on to breathe, feed and grow, excrete wastes, maintain a salt balance, and reproduce, understanding the physical and chemical qualities of water is critical to successful aquaculture. To a great extent the success or failure of an agricultural operation is determined by water quality. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48976   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  48977   National Certificate: Mixed Farming Systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  48975   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  49605   National Certificate: Environmental Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 
    Elective  66429   National Certificate: Landscape Irrigation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. A4 Consultancy CC 
    2. Amabamba Recruitment 
    3. AVAX SA 481 CC. T/A Mandisa Development Services 
    4. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    5. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    6. Buena Vista Learning Academy 
    7. Bull's Business and Skills Training Institute 
    8. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    9. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    10. Dee's Training (PTY) LTD 
    11. Dihwai Food Cultural and Agricultural Services 
    12. Edutraining Business College 
    13. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    14. Escay Catering and other Services 
    15. Faranang Marketing 
    16. Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa 
    17. Ghoenas Kraal Opleiding Sentrum 
    18. Goldfields FET College 
    19. Growth Management Consulting 
    20. HDPSA 
    21. Heedmorine Training 
    22. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    23. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    24. Jobafrik Consulting 
    25. Josmap Training Institute 
    26. Kay Beez Development Projects 
    27. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    28. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    29. Kimbali Holdings 
    30. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    31. Knowledge For Ever 
    32. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    33. Limadi Industrial Projects 
    34. Madzivhandila Agricultural College 
    35. Maishamalema Development Training 
    36. Mamuhle Academy 
    37. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    38. Marang Women in Agric and Development 
    39. Mathapuso Construction and Projects 
    40. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    41. Mazasa Management Consulting CC. 
    42. Mcebo Technologies 
    43. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    44. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    45. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    46. Montshepetsa Bosui Farming & Training Cnt 
    47. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    48. Mpontshe Training 
    49. Mthashana FET College - Vryheid Campus 
    50. Mvas-4 Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    51. Mvelo Consultant 
    52. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    53. Ndwamato Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    54. Networx for Career Development 
    55. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    56. Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services 
    57. Nkinane Trading Enterprise 
    58. NKQUBELA CONSULTING 
    59. Nokusho M Consulting and Trading 
    60. Nophelo Training Centre 
    61. Novi General Services 
    62. OMNI HR CONSULTING PTY LTD 
    63. Pebetse Training and Consulting 
    64. Petra Institute of Development 
    65. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    66. Phill Skills and Development Institute 
    67. PMA Holdings (PTY ) LTD. 
    68. Reflections Development Institute 
    69. RLSTP Training & Development (PTY) LTD. 
    70. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    71. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    72. Setlakala Business Development 
    73. Simmek Holdings 
    74. Siyafundisa I Africa 
    75. Siyasanga Training Centre 
    76. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    77. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    78. Thando Consulting Services 
    79. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    80. Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services 
    81. TLD Consulting 
    82. TM Mashwara and Projects 
    83. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    84. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    85. Tripple R Training Provider 
    86. UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE(PTY)LTD 
    87. University of Limpopo 
    88. University of Venda 
    89. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    90. Westco Agri Training 
    91. Wildlife and Enviroment Society of South Africa 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.