Air Quality Department Announces New Air Monitoring Site in the West Valley

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department announces its 24th air monitoring site in the county – the Coyote Lakes monitor. This new site, monitored by the department’s Air Monitoring Division, measures specifically for particulate matter (PM-10) and is a source-oriented monitor, downwind of several sources such as open fields, mines and construction. This air monitoring station is located in the Agua Fria Riverbed near 115th Ave. & Union Hills. The new site will operate for two years which will give the department a working guideline on this region’s particulate matter pollution levels.

Information about Maricopa County’s 24 air monitoring sites is available on the department’s website at the following location: http://aqwww.maricopa.gov/AirMonitoring/SitePollutionMap.aspx. Data from these sites are used in a variety of ways, including the ability to determine the attainment status with the Clean Air Act, modeling for new sources and providing data to air quality forecasts. Individuals may click on any of these 24 air monitoring sites and check the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings which are updated every hour.

“We have listened to the community’s ongoing and longstanding concerns about needing more monitors in the West Valley and are responding with the addition of the new Coyote Lakes air monitoring site,” stated Director Bob Kard with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. “The temporary addition of this site in the West Valley will give us a closer look at the sources in the area and what the community is being exposed to,” Kard continued.

The Air Quality Department also recently received approval from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for funding to build a new mobile air monitoring program. With this new air monitoring program, the county will be able to conduct spot-testing of the ambient air and specific sources throughout the county which will also aid in reducing air pollution and improving human health. “We are happy about the direction this department is headed with the new air monitoring site and the upcoming air monitoring program,” stated Kard. “This department will continue to move forward with efforts to help clean the air in our county.”

Erin Bruno

Community & Media Relations Specialist
Maricopa County Air Quality Department
1001 North Central Avenue, Ste 500
Phoenix, Arizona 85004