Minneapolis to launch drones to survey sewer problems
See more of the story Drones will take to the skies in some Minneapolis neighborhoods this fall to hunt for problems hidden in the city’s sewers. The city is experimenting with the technology as part of its annual smoke testing of the sewers, which helps crews spot trouble spots underground . It will be a first for the city’s public works department , though engineers across the country are discovering public uses for drones — including inspecting bridges and ditches in Minnesota. This year’s smoke testing will focus largely on areas in Northeast and Southeast clustered around the central Minneapolis riverfront . Residents there recently received letters warning they may see a drone flying above the street taking pictures . “We’re not flying the drones over anyone’s homes or over any private property,” said Katrina Kessler, the city’s director of surface water and sewers. Smoke testing helps determine if connections remain between the city’s sanitary and stormwater sewer systems , w...