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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate knowledge of elementary biology in the water wastewater environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246473  Demonstrate knowledge of elementary biology in the water wastewater environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Water Sector 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
12044  Demonstrate knowledge of biological processes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will have knowledge and understanding of fundamental biological concepts relating to water and wastewater treatment. This competence will equip the learner with knowledge that contributes to the learner's personal development and progression in the water and wastewater industry. The application of this knowledge in the wastewater context, will impact positively on the environment and the ecology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 1.
  • Communication at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Attached growth processes.
  • Suspended growth processes.
  • Aerobic processes.
  • Anaerobic processes.
  • Micro and macro organisms:
    > Bacteria, fungi, algae, enzymes, protozoa and higher animals. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and describe the classification of different living organisms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different categories of living organisms are identified and described in the water and wastewater environment with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories of living organisms refer to but are not limited to plants, animals and protists. Protists refer to protozoa, bacteria and viruses.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different categories of animal kingdom are identified and described in terms of their structure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories of animal kingdom refer to but are not limited to metazoa and protozoa.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different categories of protists are identified and described in terms of their structure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories of protists refer to but are not limited to bacteria, algae and viruses.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Different living organisms are identified and described in terms of their features. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Features refer to but are not limited to size and shape, respiration, temperature and food preferences.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Different plants are identified and described in terms of their categories. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories of plants refer to seed bearing and non seed bearing.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify and explain micro and macro organisms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Characteristics of micro organisms are identified and described in terms of their habitat. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Characteristics of macro organisms are identified and described in terms of their habitat. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The differences between micro and macro organisms are identified and explained in context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of bacteria in water and wastewater environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The existence of bacteria population is explained in terms of its dependency on the waste contained in the wastewater. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of detecting bacteria in water and wastewater are identified and described in terms of their uses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods of detecting bacteria include but not limited to microscopic examination and culturing in a laboratory.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The concepts of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are described in the context of wastewater processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of bacteria growth control in wastewater treatment is explained in order to maintain an optimal level of bacterial population. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Optimal level refers to the concentration of bacteria necessary for the process to produce the required effluent.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Factors that affect the growth of bacteria are identified and described in terms of their properties. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Properties include but are not limited to pH, temperature, oxygen content and type of waste (nutrient levels).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Potential risks associated with bacteria are identified and explained in terms of human and animal health. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The importance of bacteria as an indicator of water safety is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the potential dangers of viruses in the wastewater environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different categories of viruses/groups commonly found in wastewater are described with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories of viruses refer to but are not limited to hepatitis, HIV, Polioviruses, coxsackievirus and rotavirus.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different prevalent diseases are identified and described in terms of their mode of transmission. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Chickenpox, cholera and rabies.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Features of the different viruses are identified and explained in terms of their size and shape. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Features refer to but are not limited to size, mobility and host affinities.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concept of mutation in viruses is explained in relation to health risks. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the significance of aquatic plants in water and wastewater process. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Aquatic plants refer to but are not limited to algae, water hyacinth and Reeds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The significance of algae is explained in the context of water and wastewater treatment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Algae include but is not limited to the process of photosynthesis.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different wastewater processes making use of algae are identified to determine their effect on the process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different wastewater processes refer to oxidation ponds and maturation ponds.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Learners should have a knowledge and understanding of:
  • Bacteria and viruses.
  • Water cycle.
  • Algae. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to activated sludge concentration to determine whether or not the optimal level in order to apply the necessary measures to maintain it at the optimal level. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community when carrying out tasks. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively when preparing work. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by controlling and maintaining bacteria at an optimal level in accordance with works procedures and policies. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation in relation to different categories of living organisms and their significance in human life. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 12044, "Demonstrate knowledge of biological processes", Level 2, 4 credits.

    Integrated Assessment:

    When conducting assessments, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the unit standards being assessed. Assessors must ensure that the assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge by developing assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the learners are working. These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment. It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together in an integrated way, thus reducing the overall number of assessments and ensuring that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

    Assessment option:

    Learners could be assessed using the following methods:
  • Oral or written questions. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  77163   National Certificate: Industrial Water Treatment Support System Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    Core  58951   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    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. ATTI NELSPRUIT (PTY) LTD 
    2. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    3. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    4. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    5. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    6. URSIVOX (PTY) LTD 


    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.