Develop neighborhood networks of people who agree to sign up to volunteer for SPLASH Mobs -- intermittent helpers who will, upon receiving a cell phone message giving time, date, and task, come and clear blocked storm drains; apply absorbents to soak up leaking automotive fluids in gutters; clear snow from fire hydrants; water boulevard trees during drought; collect dumped waste tires with standing water; maintain raingardens; pick up woody debris after windstorms; and collaborate on other neighborhood water projects. Members of the network could call in to a central city number, after which a text would be relayed to the Mob (confidential list held by the city) and whoever felt like helping could just show up and get the job done. This way, problems would get solved without the intervention of city staff, thereby saving public dollars. People who can't commit to regular volunteer activities could be involved in neighborhood affairs, but could also remain anonymous if they didn't want intensive involvement. Success would be determined by: 1) how many SPLASH Mob members were willing to be on the call list; 2) how many call-out projects got done; and 3) whether this was more or less work for cities with limited resources. The $15,000 would go for a pilot project.

My community consists of people with a sophisticated understanding of land use impacts on water quality -- and many other people who do not understand that what goes on the land, in the gutter or down the storm drain ends up in the lake, river, or stream. The SPLASH Mob would receive information with the call-out. "A blocked storm drain can cause urban flooding and convey nutrients that pollute the water." No preaching, just information on the "why" of the job. Both floods and droughts have posed serious problems for communities, as has surface water that isn't "fishable" or "swimmable" and groundwater sources that are depleted or threatened with contaminants. For a pilot project, a city in the Vermillion River Watershed (one city is interested in piloting a project so far) will receive the funds to implement a SPLASH Mob, but another willing city elsewhere with stormwater problems could also implement the idea.