Arduino-based Sewer Drain Shield for Smart Cities

The Arduino-based Sewer Drain Shield for Smart Cities operates by combining physical waste filtration with electronic level monitoring. At its core, the Arduino Uno board (MOD1) acts as the central processing unit, powered via a USB cable supplying 5V. A physical barrier constructed from wooden ply, PVC pipes, and a net is installed inside the drainage path to catch plastic waste and debris before they can cause major blockages. To monitor the accumulation of waste, an ultrasonic sensor module (S1) is mounted above the collection zone. The ultrasonic sensor continuously emits high-frequency sound waves and measures the time it takes for the echo to bounce back from the surface of the trapped waste. This distance data is transmitted back to the Arduino Uno. As debris accumulates, the measured distance decreases. Once the waste reaches a critical threshold level, the Arduino processes this trigger and communicates with the GSM module SIM800L (MOD2). The GSM module uses cellular network signals to automatically send an SMS notification or alert to municipal authorities or maintenance crews, signaling that the net requires clearing. This setup transforms a passive drainage net into an active Internet of Things (IoT) node, ensuring timely maintenance and preventing urban flooding caused by unmonitored waste build-up.