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Simulated workplace
Scenario · Customer and Trade Waste

Investigate a trade waste non-compliance and progress new applications

You are a trade waste officer in the Customer and Trade Waste team.

Intermediate3 to 4 hours8 tasks
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The situation

What has happened

A sample taken at the Merriwa Holdings food processing plant monitoring point returned a pH of 4.6 against an approval limit of 6.0 to 10.0, and the Mooroopna plant inlet works recorded a low pH slug the next morning. The plant has a high risk approval with dissolved air flotation and pH correction. The Customer and Trade Waste Manager wants the non-compliance investigated and a formal notice issued under the Trade Waste Policy. Two other files need attention: the Bassline Laundromat medium risk application is under assessment awaiting pump and temperature data, and Riverbend Motors has applied but is currently discharging workshop floor drains to the sewer without an oil separator.

Your brief. Investigate the Merriwa pH exceedance, issue the formal notice with required actions and increased sampling, install the composite sampler, set the assessment conditions for the laundromat, direct Riverbend Motors in writing not to discharge until approved, and bring the Trade Waste Approvals Register up to date.
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Tasks

Deliverables

  • Investigation summary linking the sample, inspection and plant inlet event
  • Formal notice to Merriwa Holdings
  • Composite sampling arrangements and register entries
  • Letters or notes on the laundromat and Riverbend Motors files
  • Updated Trade Waste Approvals Register entries

Documents to use

Systems to use

Trade Waste Approvals Register

Holds every commercial and industrial trade waste application and approval with its category, conditions, inspections, sampling and compliance status.

Water Quality Sampling Register

Records operational and verification samples, laboratory results and the result status for drinking water, recycled water, effluent and raw water.

Network Work Orders

Tracks every reactive and planned job on the water and sewer networks, plants, storages and channels from dispatch to completion.

WHS and Environmental Incident Register

Records injuries, near misses, hazards, chemical releases, sewage spills, water quality incidents and vehicle events with investigation and actions.

For trainers and assessors

Units of competency

Current on training.gov.au for the National Water Training Package as at 10 September 2026.

NWPTRD007Monitor trade waste approvals
NWPTRD006Investigate trade waste incidents and non-compliances
NWPTRD008Process standard trade waste approvals
NWPGEN026Provide and promote customer service
NWPGEN016Interpret and comply with regulatory requirements

Qualifications

NWP30222Certificate III in Water Industry Operations
NWP40120Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations
Assessor notes

What to look for

Evidence guide

Look for the graduated response applied correctly: a formal notice with specific actions and dates rather than an immediate suspension, unless the student justifies a higher step. The notice must cite the approval condition. The Riverbend letter must be clear that discharge is not permitted. Register entries must be consistent with the letters and samples, and the student must protect the treatment plant by informing the wastewater team where relevant.

The student's evidence summary lists every record they created or changed in the systems named above, their notes and the tasks they ticked. Verify it against the deliverables and your own assessment tool.