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PROJECTS &
INITIATIVES

People-Driven Solutions for Water Security and Skills Development

The First-Line Response Team (FLRT) is a strategic programme initiated by uMngeni Water Services (UWS) to address urgent challenges in South Africa’s water and sanitation sector- including skills shortages, infrastructure strain, and water losses: through community-focused, skills-based solutions.

Developed under UWS’s broader mandate to create meaningful development impact, the FLRT Programme is an innovative, continuous support model designed to capacitate municipalities, revive dormant infrastructure, reduce non-revenue water (NRW), and build technical competency within communities.

What is the FLRT Programme?

FLRT is a multi-stakeholder intervention programme that places trained technical teams- often made up of local youth- into municipalities to support core water and sanitation operations. These teams serve as the first line of response to issues ranging from water leaks and pipe bursts to meter auditing and basic wastewater support.

More than a technical fix, the FLRT programme is a people-driven solution that engages community members in both the delivery and sustainability of water services.

  • Reduce Non-Revenue Water through targeted interventions in leak detection, meter reading, and network audits.
  • Improve Municipal Performance by building the operational capacity of Water Services Authorities (WSAs).
  • Promote Water Conservation and Demand Management (WCDM) via education campaigns, servitude protection, and responsible water use.
  • Drive Skills Development by training learners through SETAs and partnering with local TVET colleges to establish Centres of Specialisation.
  • Create Sustainable Jobs through structured learnerships, artisan training, and SMME development within the water and sanitation value chain.
  • Build Data-Driven Governance by supporting the establishment of District Intelligence Data Centres for Water (DIDCW) to centralise service and performance data.

The FLRT Programme is designed to work collaboratively with:

  • Municipalities such as uThukela District Municipality, where the programme was piloted.
  • National and Provincial Government Departments including CoGTA and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
  • Institutes of Higher Learning to facilitate technical education and youth employability.
  • Communities themselves: the core beneficiaries and partners in long-term sustainability.
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  • Revival of non-operational wastewater treatment plants
  • Strengthened compliance with Blue, Green, and No-Drop water standards
  • Increased employment among youth in rural districts
  • Enhanced municipal revenue through improved water metering and billing

The FLRT Programme is more than just a response- it’s a platform for empowerment, economic growth, and sustainable service delivery. Through skilled teams, strategic partnerships, and community involvement, UWS is reshaping the future of water management, one district at a time.

FLRT Frameworks

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