Under what conditions is reporting a spill required?

Reporting a spill is generally required when it occurs in large quantities due to the potential environmental and health risks associated with such spills. Large spills can pose significant threats to water quality, aquatic life, and public safety, necessitating immediate action and notification of the appropriate authorities. This ensures that proper response measures can be implemented, including containment and remediation efforts to mitigate any adverse effects.

In contrast, other conditions like whether a spill is contained, the presence of witnesses, or its perceived minor nature do not necessarily trigger reporting requirements. For example, a contained spill may not spread and therefore may not pose the same level of risk, while a minor spill that is manageable on-site may not warrant formal reporting unless specific regulations dictate otherwise. Hence, the focus is on the scale of the spill in determining the need to report it.