Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction

On Site Sanitation Systems Operation Maintenance And Technical Support Training

SAQA US 115965 | NQF 3 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the skills to operate, maintain, and provide technical support for on-site sanitation systems. It focuses on ensuring safe and efficient system performance in compliance with South African health and environmental regulations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply operational procedures to start up, monitor, and shut down on-site sanitation systems safely.
  • Implement routine maintenance schedules to prevent system failures and extend equipment lifespan.
  • Diagnose common faults in on-site sanitation systems using systematic troubleshooting techniques.
  • Analyze system performance data to identify inefficiencies and recommend corrective actions.
  • Demonstrate compliance with relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation during all tasks.
  • Evaluate technical support requests and provide effective solutions to end-users.

Target Audience

This course is designed for technicians, maintenance personnel, and field support staff responsible for the operation and upkeep of on-site sanitation systems in residential, commercial, or municipal settings.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to On-Site Sanitation Systems and Regulatory Framework

Objectives:
• Understand the principles and types of on-site sanitation systems.
• Identify relevant South African legislation and standards governing sanitation systems.
• Recognize the roles and responsibilities of operators and maintenance personnel.
• Assess site conditions and their impact on system selection and performance.

Topics:
• Overview of on-site sanitation systems: septic tanks, conservancy tanks, and VIP latrines.
• South African regulatory framework: SANS 10400, Water Services Act, and local by-laws.
• Health and environmental implications of inadequate sanitation.
• Site assessment factors: soil type, groundwater level, and space constraints.
• System components and basic function of each.
• Introduction to operation and maintenance principles.

Day 2: System Design, Installation, and Commissioning

Objectives:
• Describe design criteria for common on-site sanitation systems.
• Explain installation procedures and quality control measures.
• Perform pre-commissioning checks and startup procedures.
• Identify common installation defects and corrective actions.

Topics:
• Design parameters: tank sizing, pipe gradients, and ventilation requirements.
• Installation best practices for septic tanks and soakaways.
• Commissioning steps: water testing, flow checks, and system balancing.
• Quality control during installation: inspection of joints, seals, and structural integrity.
• Documentation and record-keeping for new systems.
• Troubleshooting installation issues.

Day 3: Routine Operation and Monitoring

Objectives:
• Execute daily operational checks and monitoring procedures.
• Interpret system performance indicators (e.g., sludge levels, effluent quality).
• Implement routine maintenance schedules and record-keeping.
• Respond to operational alarms and abnormal conditions.

Topics:
• Daily inspection routines: visual checks, odor detection, and flow observation.
• Monitoring parameters: sludge accumulation, scum layer, and effluent clarity.
• Maintenance tasks: desludging schedules, pipe cleaning, and vent maintenance.
• Logbook management and reporting.
• Operational troubleshooting: blockages, odors, and overflow prevention.
• Safety protocols during routine operations.

Day 4: Maintenance, Repairs, and Technical Support

Objectives:
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on system components.
• Diagnose common faults and implement repairs.
• Provide technical support to end-users and contractors.
• Manage spare parts inventory and procurement.

Topics:
• Preventive maintenance: pump servicing, valve checks, and structural inspections.
• Corrective maintenance: repairing leaks, replacing seals, and unblocking pipes.
• Fault diagnosis: using flow tests, dye tests, and CCTV inspection.
• Technical support: remote troubleshooting and on-site assistance.
• Spare parts management: stock levels, sourcing, and storage.
• Emergency response procedures for system failures.

Day 5: Advanced Applications, Sustainability, and Competency Assessment

Objectives:
• Evaluate emerging technologies and sustainable sanitation solutions.
• Develop a site-specific operation and maintenance plan.
• Apply knowledge to case studies and practical scenarios.
• Demonstrate competency through written and practical assessments.

Topics:
• Innovative systems: waterless urinals, composting toilets, and greywater treatment.
• Sustainability considerations: water reuse, nutrient recovery, and energy efficiency.
• Developing O&M plans: scheduling, resource allocation, and contingency planning.
• Case studies: troubleshooting complex systems and community management.
• Written assessment covering theory and regulations.
• Practical assessment: hands-on operation, maintenance, and fault-finding.
• Course wrap-up and certification requirements.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
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Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
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Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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