MELBOURNE, Fla. -- The city of Melbourne wants more volunteers to help protect the struggling Indian River Lagoon by putting stickers on storm drains.

Since the city launched the Dump No Waste, Drains to Lagoon program, volunteers have placed stickers on more than 2,000 drains in the city.

The goal is to remind people that what goes down the storm drain flows directly into the decades-old polluted lagoon.

Increased development contributes to fertilizer runoff, and wastewater discharge has resulted in the buildup of a black-tar-like muck made of nitrogen and phosphorus that settles on the bottom of the waterway.

Algae blooms form, suck up the oxygen and kill marine life.

That's why the city needs the help of the community to help the lagoon rebound.

Samuel Plummer, a retired air conditioning service mechanic, jumped at the chance to help.

So far, he has put out 150 markers reminding residents that the drains feed directly into the lagoon.

"I was trying to make my quota here. I was trying to use up all the stickers we have, so we could order some more," he said.

Lisa Good, Melbourne's regulatory compliance coordinator, said Plummer's efforts are making a big impact.

"He comes by the office a couple times a week, picks up more supplies, more maps. He's super eager, super ready. Amazing," Good said.

While Plummer is a volunteer rock star, the city would like even more people to take the initiative.