Hillsborough crews use small robots to help clean out stormwater system

TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County crews held a demonstration in Valrico on Tuesday, where they showed how a worker can operate a robot on wheels into a stormwater drain to find and remove clogs.

• Hillsborough County Public Works crews are using cat-sized robots to inspect stormwater pipes for clogs.
• The county demonstrated how it uses the robot to identify clogs and direct a second crew to the area, where they use a high-powered hose to blast the debris apart and into an area where a vacuum truck can finish clearing the drain.
• Crews are trying to finish as many jobs as possible, with hurricane season a few days away.