Field Engineering and Technology
Registration of skill standards and review of unit standards for Water Industry
|
Subfield |
Domain |
ID |
|
Water Industry |
Drinking-Water Assessment |
24907, 30001 |
|
Wastewater Treatment |
17877, 24927, 24931, 24948, 29929 - 29932, 29934, 29938, 29940, 29950, 29952, 29955, 29957- 29959, 31926, 31933, 31973, 33008, 33010 - 33012 |
|
|
Water – Generic |
17871, 17874, 19200, 24913, 24917, 30005, 30007, 30008 |
|
|
Water Treatment |
17890, 17891, 17894, 24950, 29963 - 29966, 29981 - 29992, 29994, 29996 - 30000, 33013 |
The Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board has completed the review of the standards listed above.
Date new versions published May 2026
Planned review date December 2032
Summary
Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council and representatives from the water services industry reviewed Water Industry unit standards alongside reviewing the New Zealand Certificate in Water Treatment (Small Scale Systems) (Level 3) [Ref: 2240], New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes [Ref: 4138], New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes [Ref: 4142], and New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Supply (Assessment) (Level 5) [Ref: 4223] during 2025. This resulted in some unit standards being expired, and some unit standards being replaced by skill standards.
A steering group was established with representatives across the water services industry including wastewater, drinking water, trade waste, and industry associations (WaterNZ and Water Industry Operators Group). Skill standards were developed to better reflect the skills and learning required. Consultation was undertaken using discovery workshops, association and steering group networks, and the Waihanga Ara Rau website, at various stages throughout the review period. Changes to the reviewed skill standards were overseen by the steering group.
Responsibility for the above unit standards and skill standards was transferred from the WDC to the ISB as a result of the VET reforms. The Energy and Infrastructure has finalised these standards for approval.
Main changes
· 38 unit standards were set to expire.
· 23 unit standards were replaced by skill standards.
· 16 new skill standards were developed.
Category C and D standards will expire at the end of December 2028
Detailed list of standards – classification, title, level, and credits
All changes are in bold.
|
Key to review category |
|
|
A |
Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
|
B |
Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
|
C |
Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID |
|
D |
Standard will expire and not be replaced |
Engineering and Technology > Water Industry > Drinking-Water Assessment
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
24907 |
Demonstrate knowledge of water safety planning |
5 |
7 |
D |
|
30001 |
Demonstrate knowledge of data analysis and presentation for drinking-water assessment |
4 |
3 |
D |
Engineering and Technology > Water Industry > Wastewater Treatment
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
17877 41227 |
Operate and monitor a wastewater treatment plant Operate and control wastewater treatment plant operations |
4 4 |
10 20 |
C |
|
|
||||
|
24927
41217 |
Describe, and undertake sampling and testing procedures for wastewater treatment Carry out sampling, testing, and reporting of non-potable water |
4
3 |
7
5 |
C |
|
24931 |
Demonstrate knowledge of pumping systems in wastewater treatment |
3 |
6 |
D |
|
24948 |
Describe the characteristics of, and sources that affect wastewater |
4 |
6 |
D |
|
29929 |
Carry out wastewater treatment operations under supervision |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
29930
41218 |
Describe and operate activated sludge processes in wastewater treatment Operate and control activated sludge wastewater treatment processes |
4
4 |
16
15 |
C
|
|
29931 |
Describe treatment processes for wastewater |
3 |
6 |
D |
|
29932
41220 |
Describe and operate effluent disinfection processes in wastewater treatment Operate and control effluent disinfection processes in wastewater treatment |
4
4 |
8
10 |
C
|
|
29934 |
Describe and operate wastewater effluent application to land |
4 |
6 |
D |
|
29938 |
Describe and operate effluent filtration processes in wastewater treatment |
4 |
12 |
D |
|
29940 |
Carry out microbiological monitoring for wastewater treatment |
4 |
4 |
D |
|
29950 |
Describe and operate nutrient removal processes in wastewater treatment |
4 |
14 |
D |
|
29952
41221 |
Describe and operate fixed growth reactor processes in wastewater treatment Operate and control fixed growth reactor processes in wastewater treatment |
4
4 |
10
10 |
C
|
|
29955
41222 |
Describe and operate preliminary processes in wastewater treatment Operate and control preliminary wastewater treatment processes |
4
4 |
7
12 |
C
|
|
29957
41223 |
Describe and operate separation processes in wastewater treatment Operate and control separation processes in wastewater treatment |
4
4 |
9
10 |
C
|
|
29958
41224 |
Describe and operate sludge treatment processes in wastewater treatment Operate and control sludge in wastewater treatment |
4
4 |
12
15 |
C
|
|
31926 |
Describe wastewater treatment processes, hazards, and the management of critical control points |
4 |
20 |
D |
|
31973 |
Describe sludge and biosolids management processes in wastewater treatment |
4 |
6 |
D |
|
33008 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative framework relevant to small wastewater systems |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
33010 |
Demonstrate knowledge of small wastewater systems |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
33011 |
Operate and maintain a small wastewater system |
3 |
8 |
D |
|
33012 |
Undertake sampling and water quality monitoring for a small wastewater system |
3 |
7 |
D |
|
41219 |
Relate wastewater treatment processes and collection system performance to effective wastewater treatment |
3 |
15 |
NEW |
|
41228 |
Analyse wastewater treatment processes |
4 |
18 |
NEW |
|
41229 |
Manage wastewater effluent application to the receiving environment |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
|
41230 |
Operate and control waste stabilisation pond systems |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
Engineering and Technology > Water Industry > Water - Generic
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
17871 |
Describe safe practices when working with hazards in small drinking-water and wastewater systems |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
17874
19200
41231 |
Demonstrate knowledge of basic science theory relating to water Demonstrate knowledge of, and apply, mathematics in the water industry Relate foundational science principles and mathematical techniques to water services operations |
3
3
3 |
6
4
6 |
C
|
|
24913 |
Describe processes, process control, and monitoring, in a drinking-water or wastewater treatment plant |
4 |
5 |
D |
|
24917 |
Demonstrate knowledge of quality management in water and wastewater treatment plants |
4 |
5 |
D |
|
30005 |
Monitor and report on assets and describe operational costs for a water or wastewater treatment plant |
4 |
4 |
D |
|
30007 |
Oversee contractors and visitors on a water or wastewater treatment plant site |
4 |
6 |
D |
|
30008 |
Describe pathogens, diseases, and their control in water treatment |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
41232 |
Outline treatment processes and shared responsibilities for water services in Aotearoa New Zealand |
3 |
3 |
NEW |
|
41233 |
Contribute to a healthy and safe water services environment |
3 |
4 |
NEW |
|
41234 |
Outline the protective measures that guide water extraction and discharge practices |
3 |
6 |
NEW |
|
41235 |
Implement treatment process requirements in water services to protect people, communities, and the environment |
4 |
6 |
NEW |
|
41236 |
Apply science principles to operate and control water services treatment operations |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
|
41237 |
Apply mathematical techniques to operate and control water services treatment operations |
4 |
5 |
NEW |
Engineering and Technology > Water Industry > Water Treatment
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
17891
41239 |
Describe quality sampling techniques and programme design for a water treatment site Carry out sampling, testing, and reporting of drinking water |
4
3 |
5
5 |
C
|
|
17894 |
Demonstrate knowledge of surface water and groundwater sources |
4 |
7 |
D |
|
24950 |
Operate and report on a water treatment plant |
4 |
10 |
D |
|
29963 |
Demonstrate knowledge of and carry out water treatment plant maintenance work under supervision |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
29964 |
Describe treatment processes for drinking-water treatment |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
29965 |
Demonstrate knowledge of small drinking-water systems |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
29966 |
Demonstrate knowledge of treated drinking-water supply processes and describe critical control points |
4 |
20 |
D |
|
29981
41242 |
Describe and operate abstraction and pre-treatment processes in drinking-water treatment Operate and control pre-treatment processes for drinking water |
4
4 |
12
10 |
C
|
|
29982
41243 |
Describe and operate chlorine disinfection processes in drinking-water treatment Operate and control chlorination processes for drinking water |
4
4 |
12
15 |
C
|
|
29983
41244 |
Describe and operate clarification processes in drinking-water treatment Operate and control clarification processes for drinking water |
4
4 |
10
10 |
C
|
|
29984
41245 |
Describe and operate coagulation and flocculation processes in drinking-water treatment Operate and control coagulation and flocculation processes for drinking water |
4
4
|
12
15
|
C
|
|
29985 |
Describe and operate ozone disinfection processes in drinking-water treatment |
4 |
8 |
D |
|
29986
41246 |
Describe and operate fluoridation processes in drinking-water treatment Operate and control fluoridation processes for drinking water |
4
4 |
6
10 |
C
|
|
29987 |
Describe and operate inorganics control processes in drinking-water treatment |
4 |
12 |
D |
|
29988 |
Describe and operate media filtration processes in water treatment |
4 |
16 |
D |
|
29989 |
Describe and operate membrane filtration processes in drinking-water treatment |
4 |
12 |
D |
|
29990 |
Describe and operate pH and alkalinity control processes in drinking-water treatment |
4 |
8 |
D |
|
29991 |
Describe and operate organics control processes in drinking-water treatment |
4 |
12 |
D |
|
29992 |
Describe and operate ultraviolet disinfection processes in drinking-water treatment |
4 |
8 |
D |
|
29996 |
Demonstrate knowledge of and apply principles of water safety planning for a small drinking-water system |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
29997 41247 |
Operate and maintain a small drinking-water system Operate and control an onsite drinking water supply system |
3 3 |
8 10 |
C |
|
29999 |
Undertake sampling and site testing procedures for drinking-water treatment |
4 |
6 |
D |
|
30000 |
Describe and operate waste management processes in water treatment |
4 |
8 |
D |
|
41240 |
Relate drinking water treatment processes and distribution system performance to safe drinking water supply |
3 |
15 |
NEW |
|
41241 |
Control source water abstraction for drinking water |
4 |
12 |
NEW |
|
41248 |
Operate and control non-chlorine disinfection processes for drinking water |
4 |
15 |
NEW |
|
41249 |
Operate and control filtration processes for drinking water |
4 |
15 |
NEW |
|
41250 |
Analyse drinking water treatment processes |
4 |
18 |
NEW |
|
41251 |
Operate and control drinking water treatment plant operations |
4 |
20 |
NEW |
Engineering and Technology > Water Industry
|
ID |
Domain |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
17890
29998 |
Water Treatment
|
Undertake sampling and site analysis for water treatment Undertake sampling and water quality monitoring for a small drinking-water system |
3
3 |
6
7 |
C
C |
|
41238 |
Water - Generic |
Prepare and collect water samples for drinking and non-potable waters |
3 |
3 |
|
|
31933
41226 |
Wastewater Treatment
Water - Generic |
Demonstrate knowledge of risks and risk management in wastewater treatment plants Manage operational risk and safety controls in a water services treatment environment |
4
4 |
10
8 |
C |
|
|
|||||
|
29959
29994
33013 |
Wastewater Treatment
Water Treatment
|
Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory framework relevant to wastewater treatment Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory framework relevant to drinking-water supply Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative framework relevant to small drinking-water systems |
4
4
3 |
4
5
5 |
C
C
C |
|
41225 |
Water - Generic |
Outline compliance requirements in water services to support public health safety |
3 |
3 |
|