A spill of 15,000 gallons inland is classified as which discharge?

• A. Minor discharge inland
• B. Major discharge inland
• C. Medium discharge inland
• D. Not classified

Answer: (B)

Understanding how spills are categorized helps you pick the right response level. Inland spills are grouped by volume, and a spill this large on land clearly falls into the major category rather than a minor one. A 15,000-gallon release is well beyond what’s considered a minor incident, so it’s a major discharge inland. The idea of a “medium” category isn’t used here, and “not classified” wouldn’t apply to a spill of this size. In practice, a major inland discharge triggers heightened reporting, containment, cleanup actions, and coordination with authorities.