Alark Hard Chrome is a former chrome plating operation that ran from 1971 to 1985 on Main Street near Poplar Street in Riverside, California. Soil contamination was first discovered in 1982. After the facility closed permanently in 1985, the county health department and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) led investigations. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in December 2000. The NPL is EPA's list of the most serious uncontrolled hazardous waste sites in the country.
The contamination affects both soil and groundwater. The cleanup addresses health risks from people ingesting or touching those contaminants. Human exposure is currently under control, meaning EPA has found no unacceptable exposure pathways at this time. However, the migration of contaminated groundwater is not yet stabilized, so that part of the site remains a concern.
The site has one operable unit covering the entire property. A combined remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) began in July 2001. The RI/FS maps the full extent of contamination and evaluates cleanup options. Additional sampling and data analysis started in 2011 to fill gaps in earlier data. The RI/FS and a Record of Decision (ROD), which is the formal document selecting a cleanup method, are both estimated for completion between June and August 2027. Remedial design and construction have not yet started. The site remains closed off to the public.
Community members who want to stay informed or ask questions can contact the EPA staff assigned to the site. Five fact sheets about Alark Hard Chrome are also available through EPA.
