A 'reportable spill' is anything over 20 liters. 

This is but a pail full of liquid. How many liters of oil leak out of the millions of cars in the lower mainland of BC annually?  I'd bet more oil leaks out of their cars then leaks out of the pipeline. 

By the way, Burnaby itself can take some of the responsibility for the largest spill for not following proper 'ground disturbance' procedures.