Water Works Management Practitioner

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Water Works Management Practitioner. A Water Works Management Practitioner manages, operates, maintains, controls, assesses, and monitors the unit processes at water service works to produce potable water and treats wastewater as well as managing the associated waste streams under the authority of water service institutions. A qualified learner will be able to: • Coordinate and execute risk-based water safety plans and operational activities within defined water services schemes. • Coordinate, monitor and evaluate operations and maintenance processes. • Manage, evaluate, and review plant production. • Coordinate plant and process optimisation. • Establish and manage the efficient use of plant resources. • Participate in project design planning and system commissioning. • Coordinate and manage customer complaints.

Water scarcity is among the main problems facing societies around the world. The system and processing of drinking water and treatment of wastewater remain critical in South Africa and require competent water process controllers to operate at a high level to respond effectively to water demands. The water industry in South Africa faces some key challenges including an ageing workforce and ageing infrastructure and requires decision-makers in the industry to meet the skills challenges and demands of highly trained professionals in water process control to embrace innovative technologies to develop, manage and optimise environmentally sound and efficient water and wastewater treatment processes. This qualification reflects the need identified by the Department of Water and Sanitation to build the capacity of process controllers at a supervisory level or who may be at a leadership role to manage the operations of one or more water distribution systems or treatment plants to ensure that they operate at optimal and efficient levels, and maintaining compliance with legal, policy and regulatory requirements. The qualification will equip learners with water process control specialised knowledge and competencies to work autonomously either in drinking water or wastewater treatment to improve job performance. The qualification provides career pathing on the occupational qualification framework for process controllers at lower levels to articulate vertically to this qualification. Typical learners likely to enrol for this qualification are those who wish to qualify as Class V Process Controller in accordance with the Classification Code of Process Controllers in South Africa. The qualification provides qualifying learners opportunities to articulate vertically and horizontally to other engineering related qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The overall benefits for the country include high quality water for sustainable socio-economic development at household and other sectors of the economy thus increasing its competitiveness and comparative advantage in the water sector internationally.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics, Science (Physical Science or Engineering Science) and Communication.

• Apply knowledge and understanding to review or develop a wastewater risk abatement plan and water safety plan.
• Coordinate and manage unit processes optimisation.
• Monitor and evaluate operations and maintenance processes.
• Evaluate and manage plant resources for effective, efficient, and sustainable water services.
• Establish and promote good customer relations in the water services works environment.