Solutions Sought For Chronic Dust Pollution In Coachella Valley

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — The South Coast Air Quality Management District announced Tuesday that it is expanding its dust-monitoring capabilities to address dust pollution in the Coachella Valley.

Strong desert winds routinely generate and carry dust across the region, affecting air quality and public health. South Coast AQMD reports it has installed a high-resolution environmental camera in San Jacinto State Park that uses imagery and AI-supported analysis to track dust emissions and movement in the northwestern Coachella Valley.

A second camera, operated by UC San Diego, as part of the Alert California and HPWREN* network is located on Toro Peak overlooking the area from Indio to the north Salton Sea shore.

A third camera is planned for the eastern portion of the valley to expand dust tracking data.

Real-time images from the cameras are available to the public, allowing residents to track local dust conditions.

The camera installations are just one step toward reducing dust as other solutions advance, according to South Coast AQMD.

“I have been working with South Coast AQMD on increased airborne dust since Hurricane Hilary, and these two cameras are new steps in these efforts,” said V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County Supervisor and South Coast AQMD Governing Board member. “They will help us pinpoint where the dust is coming from and allow us to focus remediation efforts.”

South Coast AQMD is also working with UC Riverside to guide targeted dust-mitigation actions with field measurements, satellite analysis, and computer modeling. Information gathered from the cameras will supplement the work to develop more precise strategies to reduce dust emissions and improve regional air quality, according to South Coast AQMD.

Additionally, there have been community events to gather public feedback.

On Nov. 6, South Coast AQMD and Supervisor Perez hosted a Dust Summit featuring community input, scientific presentations, and updates on current and future dust-mitigation efforts to address the challenges in the Coachella Valley.

The presentations delivered during the Dust Summit are available at www.aqmd.gov/dustsummit.

In October, the South Coast AQMD Board approved a three-part dust-reduction plan focusing on identifying major dust sources, developing targeted mitigation strategies, and funding projects to reduce emissions in the most affected areas.

For more information on the Coachella Valley dust monitoring cameras, including access to real-time imagery, visit www.aqmd.gov/cvcameras.