IoT / Civic Tech • Doral Charter Middle School + Samsung
Smart Drain Monitoring System
An IoT-based flood monitoring system created to help cities detect sediment buildup and rising water levels in drainage infrastructure before overflow events occur.
Overview
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.
Challenge & context
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.
Goals & requirements
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.
Solution
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.
Impact
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.
Tech stack
- Laravel
- PHP
- MySQL
- REST API
- Google Maps
Interested in similar work?
I build product-focused web platforms across ecommerce, SaaS, performance, and systems architecture. For opportunities, collaborations, or project discussions, feel free to reach out.