Smart Drain Monitoring System

This project turned a student-led smart city concept into a functional monitoring system designed to address recurring flooding issues in Doral. I led the software implementation, building the backend services and dashboard used to ingest, process, and visualize data coming from a cellular-connected sensor device installed in sewer infrastructure.

The project addressed a real flooding issue affecting areas of Doral where drainage systems frequently overflow due to sediment buildup. I joined after the team had already advanced to a later stage of the competition, which left less than a month to deliver the full software layer needed to make the concept demonstrable and credible.

• Context

  The city faces recurring flooding problems and significant annual drainage maintenance costs, creating a strong need for earlier detection and more targeted response.

• Constraint

  I joined late in the process, after the project had already moved past an earlier competition phase, which compressed delivery into a sub-1-month timeline.

• Requirement

  The software needed to convert raw sensor readings into a simple dashboard that non-technical stakeholders could understand immediately.

The solution had to be simple, reliable, and easy to demo under time pressure while still proving the value of the idea.

• Ingest telemetry from a cellular-connected IoT device through a REST-based backend.

• Store and process sensor readings for visualization and monitoring.

• Display drainage points on a map-based interface using Google Maps.

• Show changes in water levels clearly enough to support early intervention by city crews.

• Keep the implementation lightweight and dependable for live demonstrations.

I built the software layer using Laravel, MySQL, REST APIs, and a custom web dashboard designed for speed of implementation and clarity of use.

• Built the backend services required to receive and process data transmitted from the physical device.

• Modeled and stored incoming readings in MySQL to support monitoring and historical inspection.

• Developed a custom dashboard to display monitored points by geolocation through Google Maps.

• Worked with the team on the logic needed to translate the device readings into understandable visual outputs for the demo.

• Supported live simulation testing by visualizing changes in measured water levels in near real time.

The project demonstrated how a relatively lightweight software and hardware system could support a more cost-effective approach to flood prevention and drainage monitoring.

• Awarded 1st place nationally in Samsung’s 2020 innovation competition.

• Contributed to a $100,000 technology award for the school.

• Presented publicly with recognition from local officials, including the City of Doral.

• Helped frame a lower-cost alternative to large infrastructure investments by enabling earlier intervention and targeted maintenance.