A ten-square-mile plume of contaminated groundwater sits beneath Glendale, California. Decades of manufacturing that improperly handled chemicals left the soil and groundwater polluted with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chromium. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in June 1986, and active investigation and cleanup have been underway since 1985.
The site contains 34 confirmed contaminants in groundwater. These include VOCs such as trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, benzene, and vinyl chloride, as well as chlorinated solvents like carbon tetrachloride and dichloromethane. Metals found in groundwater include arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury. Contaminants can reach people through drinking, bathing, or cooking with contaminated water, or through vapors that migrate through soil into buildings. A vapor intrusion investigation found no current unacceptable risks from vapor intrusion related to the regional groundwater plume. Residents have been supplied drinking water that meets federal and state standards throughout the cleanup. EPA assessments confirm human exposure is currently under control across the entire site.
EPA divides the site into operable units (OUs) to manage cleanup in stages. Since 2000, a groundwater pumping and treatment system has removed about 58 billion gallons of groundwater, pulling out over 83,000 pounds of VOCs and 1,300 pounds of hexavalent chromium. The treated water meets drinking water standards and feeds into Glendale's water supply.
At the former Drilube Company site within Area 2, EPA removed contaminated soil, installed a soil vapor extraction system in 2016, and in 2024 began a remedial investigation to assess remaining contamination. A removal action in the DRI Lube/Glendale South area began in September 2024. The Glendale Chromium OU is in the feasibility study phase, with remedial design estimated for 2027. Physical construction of cleanup work is not yet complete, and the site is not ready for its anticipated future use. The most recent five-year review, completed September 25, 2023, confirmed cleanup activities remain protective of human health and the environment.
EPA has released a Proposed Plan to enhance the groundwater treatment system. Fact sheets are available in English, Spanish, and Armenian. The Glendale Respondents' Group, represented by Liaht Rosenstein of Lockheed Martin, holds responsibility for the site. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control also participates in site oversight.
