Builders throughout Manteca were busy Thursday seeding graded land in a bid to stem growing problems with dust kicked up by wind.

The move happened just two days after frustrated Springtime Estates residents shared horror stories with the Manteca City Council of dust from the North Main Commons project caking their homes, property, solar panels, rain gutters, and swimming pools with dirt. They noted even with windows shut, dirt still gets into their homes.

Similar issues have plagued homeowners on South Main across from the initial phase of the 1,401-home Griffin Park neighborhood as well as those living near active home construction sites in southwest Manteca.

The problem started when vegetation was stripped from the land where new subdivisions are being built to allow for grading. Given the high concentration of sandy loam soil in and around Manteca when winds kick up they create borderline blinding sand storms.

Several residents along South Main recorded smartphone videos on windy days when airborne sand made it impossible to see across the street.

Toni Raymus of Raymus Homes that is now building in Griffin Park notes they have been working with nearby homeowners. That also means compensating them for expenses they incur.

And while much of the kicked up dust when it settles create clean-up problems that simply require more time and wiping, blowing, or hosing things down it can incur additional expenses. That includes the need to have a professional cleaning of solar panels given how being caked with dirt reduces their power output, clogged swimming pool filters, and the cleaning of rain gutters.

The recent storm combined with the blown dust in several instances forced Springtime Estates homeowners to clear out dirt and mud more than an inch deep in rain gutters. If they are incapable of doing so — especially on two-story houses — they have to hire firms to do the work.

Raymus notes they have been running water trucks since summer but the amount of wind this year has made them not as effective. They tried seeding earlier in the year but that did not work.

The recent storm coupled with the cooler weather is enabling developers to now seed graded lots.

Springtime Estates residents told the council they were irked that recent calls about dust were not getting returned either from Taylor Builders that are building the 154 homes at North Main Commons or from the city.

Raymus said her firm makes it a point to stay in communication with neighbors.

While Manteca typically gets Delta breezes, the winds this year have been more often and somewhat stronger.

The last time high winds were as consistent at the same time a lot of grading was going on was in 2003. That is when there were new home projects all along the Airport Way corridor from Daniels Street to Lathrop Road.

Much of Manteca west of Union Road was inundated with blowing sand and dust. It wasn’t uncommon for motorists to drive with headlines on at 2 p.m. on otherwise clear days as they traveled Airport Way, Louise Avenue, and Union Road.

After two packed council meetings the council at the time implemented emergency ordinance to address public health and safety issues.

That led to crop irrigation pipes being deployed to keep soil moist so it wouldn’t get airborne.

The city also had a weather station put in pace that monitored wind speed. When it reached a certain speed, the city issued notification to developers with the impacted projects that they had to take steps to control soil loss.

The city weather station had been operating as a wind warning system for several years.

The wind alert system was a courtesy gesture to builders. Under city rules builders are required to pursue dust control measures when winds reach a certain speed and not wait to be told to do so by city staff.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com