Course Title: Undertake sampling and testing of water

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2009

Course Code: NONE9699C

Course Title: Undertake sampling and testing of water

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5161 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Course Contact: Helen Corney

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4723

Course Contact Email: helen.corney@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 70

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

1st semester of 1st year of Conservation and Land Management Program.

Course Description

This course covers the process of sampling and testing water quality as part of a monitoring program.  it requires the ability to plan for sampling and testing, prepare equipment and resources, carry out sampling and testing and complete water sampling and testing activities.  Sampling and testing water quality requires knowledge of monitoring schedules, hydrological cycle, water quality determinations and standards, principles of water quality control, sampling and testing methods and groundwater salinity.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

RTD3507A Undertake sampling and testing of water

Element:

1. Plan for sampling and testing field work.

2. Prepare equipment and resources

3. Carry out sampling and testing of water

4. Complete water sampling and testing activities

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Monitoring schedule is read/heard and confirmed with manager.
1.2 Advanced water quality and environmental parameters are
identified.
1.3 Samples to be collected to determine water quality and
environmental parameters are identified by supervisory staff.
1.4 Equipment requirements for water sampling and testing are
determined and arranged.
1.5 Range of likely operating conditions, hazards and
difficult/sensitive environments are assessed for impact on
sampling and testing.

2.1 Equipment required for sampling and testing is sourced
according to monitoring procedures.
2.2 Equipment is checked for availability and serviceability in
accordance with enterprise procedures.
2.3 Testing and correlation is carried out to verify correct and
accurate performance of equipment.
2.4 Repairs and maintenance of field-based equipment and
instruments are carried out in accordance with enterprise
procedures and manufacturer's instructions.
2.5 Data or record sheets/books are collected for use.
2.6 Equipment, data sheets and personnel are moved to sampling
sites without injury or damage and readied for use.
2.7 Equipment is installed and protected according to
manufacturer's specifications, safety and enterprise
requirements.
2.8 Staff undertaking sampling and testing are briefed on and are
aware of responsibilities in accordance with monitoring
schedule.
2.9 Testing equipment is confirmed and serviceable for monitoring
procedures in field conditions to enterprise and manufacturers'
requirements.

3.1 Tests are undertaken in accordance with monitoring plan and
enterprise procedures to avoid erroneous readings.
3.2 Samples are taken and tested in accordance with monitoring
standards and guidelines.
3.3 Samples for external analysis are prepared, packaged and sent
to laboratory in accordance with monitoring schedule and
laboratory standards.
3.4 Specific and general observations including information on
relevant ambient and antecedent environmental conditions are
made in accordance with monitoring schedule.
3.5 Personnel undertaking sampling and testing tasks are supervised
and feedback given on work performance.
3.6 Equipment operation and work practices conform to OHS
requirements.

4.1 Equipment and clothing is cleaned, sanitised, repaired and
stored in accordance with enterprise procedures.
4.2 Damaged or malfunctioning equipment is repaired on site or
sent to manufacturer or specialist.
4.3 Test results and observations are accurately recorded on data
sheets and forwarded in accordance with enterprise procedures.
4.4 Changes in field conditions and equipment are conveyed to
supervisor according to enterprise procedures.

Learning Outcomes


Competency based


Details of Learning Activities

The course involves a variety of different learning activities.  These include lectures, guest speakers, lab pracs and field work.


Teaching Schedule

Undertake Sampling and Testing of Water - Timetable
Week Date Content
1 15/7/09 Introduction to Water Quality
2 22/7/09 Planning Monitoring and Data Collection
3 29/7/09 Understanding Freshwater systems
4 5/8/09 Field Trip - Latrobe Wildlife Reserve
5 12/8/09 Macro invertebrates lab prac
6 19/8/09 Field Trip - Royal Gardens Wetlands 
7 26/8/09 Physical and Chemical Tests
8 2/9/09 Field Trip - Westernport Seagrass Restoration Project
9 9/9/09 Field Trip - Burke Rd Billabong
10 16/9/09 Physical and Chemical Testing
    SEMESTER BREAK
11 30/9/09 Field trip - Royal Gardens Wetlands
12 7/10/09 Field Work - Restoration Project
13 14/10/09 Field Work - Restoration Project
14 21/10/09 WORK PLACEMENTS
15 28/10/09 Revision
16 4/11/09 Practical Test
17 11/11/09 Theory Test
18 18/11/09 SEMESTER END


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Gooderham, J. and Tsyrlin, E., 2002.  The Waterbug Book  A Guide to the Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Temperate Australia, CSIRO PUBLISHING, Collingwood, Australia


References

Victorian Community Water Quality Task Group, 1994, Waterwatch: A Community Water Quality Monitoring Manual for Victoria


Other Resources

Water Watch Website:  http://www.waterwatch.org.au/


Overview of Assessment

ASSESSMENT:


1.ASSIGNMENT – CASE STUDY OF AN ISSUE EFFECTING WATER QUALITY


2.WATER QUALITY TEST RESULT SHEETS


3.PRACTICAL TEST


4.THEORY TEST



Assessment Tasks

ASSESSMENT


ASSESSMENT No.1

CASE STUDY OF AN ISSUE EFFECTING WATER QUALITY
You are to prepare a written assignment, which outlines an issue that effects the water quality of a creek, river or wetland.
Your assignment should contain:
Introduction:
General outline on freshwater bodies and their ecological value.
Introduction to the particular issue you are discussing
Discussion:
A general discussion, which demonstrates your ability to research and write an informed discussion about the particular, issue that effects water quality.
This discussion should provide some detail about the issue, how it occurs, why it occurs and what needs to be done to rectify it. You should also discuss the effect that this issue has on ecosystem functioning and any particular species that are affected.
It should also provide information on how water body authorities are tackling the problem.
Conclusion:
A summary of your assignment.
References:
A list of references that you have cited in your text.
Maximum 2500 words.


ASSESSMENT No. 2


SAMPLING AND TESTING DATA AND ASSESSMENT SHEETS
You are required to complete the appropriate assessment sheet for each sampling and testing field prac.
These need to be filled in neatly and accurately to demonstrate your ability to collect data in the field and prepare it for analysis by others.
Where appropriate you will need to include your own drawings and sketches.
Macro-invertebrates will need to be classified to ‘Order’ and ‘Family’.


ASSESSMENT 3:


PRACTICAL TEST


This will test your ability to use the equipment and provide accurate measurements of water quality parameters.
It will also test your ability to demonstrate how tests are collected and your knowledge of macroinvertebrates.

This will test your ability to use the equipment and provide accurate measurements of water quality parameters. It will also test your ability to demonstrate how tests are collected and your knowledge of macroinvertebrates.


ASSESSMENT 4:


THEORY TEST
This will test your understanding of the underpinning knowledge required to understand freshwater bodies and principles around water sampling and testing activities.


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview