The Roanoke Rapids Public Works Department now has its latest tool.

It is a Cues K2 Series Inspection System, which will now send a roving camera on wheels down manholes instead of an employee once training is completed.

The camera, made possible by a North Carolina Rural Center grant, came in last week from Southern Municipal Equipment Company of Lexington, South Carolina.

The equipment includes the camera, which has different size tires and hubs to navigate drainage pipes from 8 inches on up, said Alan Mitchell, city street superintendent Alan Mitchell.

The controller.

With this system, which comes in a self-contained hauler with computer screens, recording equipment and generator, those trained to operate the camera, maneuvered by an Xbox 360 controller, can find cracks in pipes and debris in lines.

It will replace sending workers down manholes with ropes and flashlights.

The camera unit has an iris control so more or less light can be used depending on the conditions underneath.

What the camera sees.

The system allows location information to be registered and the system itself measures distances the camera travels.

“It will help us get to problem areas a lot easier,” Mitchell said, explaining knowing precisely where the problem is will eliminate tearing up more street than necessary.

Public Works Director Larry Chalker said earlier this year emergency personnel could use the camera for confined space searches.