17252 version 3

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Monitor and maintain reticulated water systems for onshore aquaculture or holding facilities

Level / 3
Credits / 20

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: describe reticulated water systems for onshore aquaculture or holding facilities; monitor the reticulated water system in an onshore aquaculture or holding facility; and maintain the reticulated water system in an onshore aquaculture or holding facility.

Subfield / Seafood
Domain / Aquaculture
Status / Registered
Status date / 12 December 2008
Date version published / 12 December 2008
Planned review date / 31 December 2013
Entry information / Recommended: Unit 17255, Test for water quality in an aquaculture facility.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0123

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Definition

Company requirements refer to instructions to staff on policy and procedures which are communicated in verbal or written form. These requirements may include but are not limited to – manufacturers’ procedures, company safety procedures, legislative requirements, industry codes of practice and standards.

2All work practices must meet documented company safety requirements. The documented company safety requirements must meet the obligations of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and subsequent amendments.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Describe reticulated water systems for onshore aquaculture or holding facilities.

Performance criteria

1.1The description outlines the sequence of events in the operation of the reticulated water system.

Rangeflow through, partially recirculated, fully recirculated.

1.2The description includes the function and operating principles of the equipment used in a reticulated water system.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – pumps, filters, protein skimmers, ultraviolet units, ozone systems, heat exchangers, blowers, biofilters;

evidence is required for five.

1.3The description outlines the ways that the reticulation water system is monitored to control water quality.

Rangeall of – dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH;

at least two of – carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, total dissolved gases, turbidity, salinity.

1.4The description outlines company safety procedures to be used during monitoring and maintenance of a reticulated water system.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – footwear, clothing, hair restraints and electrical isolation procedures.

Element 2

Monitor the reticulated water system in an onshore aquaculture or holding facility.

Rangeone of – flow through, partially recirculated, fully recirculated.

Performance criteria

2.1The pumps are confirmed as being in safe working order during operation in accordance with company requirements.

2.2The water flow is monitored to meet the needs of the stock being held.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – flow meters, bucket test, dissolved oxygen test.

2.3The aeration of circulating water is monitored in accordance with company requirements.

2.4Filters are monitored in accordance with company requirements.

2.5The water quality is monitored in accordance with company requirements.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – oxygen, temperature, pH, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, total dissolved gases, turbidity, salinity;

evidence is required for three.

Element 3

Maintain the reticulated water system in an onshore aquaculture or holding facility.

Performance criteria

3.1Equipment is maintained in accordance with company requirements.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – pumps, filters, protein skimmers, ultraviolet units, ozone systems, heat exchangers, blowers, biofilters;

evidence is required for five.

3.2Minor repairs are carried out in accordance with company requirements.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – replacing pump valves, cutting and replacing pipes, pigging lines, solvent jointing;

evidence is required for three.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation at if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018