KEENE, N.H. (AP) – A tiny robot is about to undertake a particularly dirty job – scouring every inch of the city’s sewer system in search of leaks, cracks and other problems.

The inspection, estimated to cost $1.3 million over the next five years, is part of an effort to update and repair the sewers after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered the city to make improvements.

Overflowing manholes and leaky pipes prompted the agency’s order, but city officials say to comply they need to know what’s going on underground. They expect to spend about $7 million on improvements.

Joseph Tonweber, the city’s water and sewer superintendent, says the city has little information about the conditions of the sewer lines. Sections of line could have misaligned pipes, grease buildup or roots growing into them.

The robot will provide video of the inside of the sewer lines, which the city will add to a computer database. Tonweber says the system will allow workers to find the condition and repair history of any sewer line.

The robot works similar to a remote-controlled car. Using a joystick, its operator can make the camera tilt, zoom and pan, giving the city detailed information about sewers without having to dig any holes.

“It’s like playing a video game,” says Corey Stearns, an owner of Green Mountain Pipeline Services, the company now under contract to inspect the sewers.

Information from: The Keene Sentinel, http://www.keenesentinel.com