They are not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. If you require legal advice then you should consult a lawyer within your jurisdiction. Traditionally, nuisance was the most common cause of action asserted at common law. Nuisance is interference with the use and enjoyment of the land belonging to another. There must be interference with land and therefore the nuisance action is only available to owners and occupiers of land.
Private nuisance is a nuisance that affects an individual citizen only.
It is actionable by that individual. Spills, however, are rarely so focused that they affect only one individual. Most spills affect a large number of the population. It is actionable only by the Attorney General. Individuals generally have no cause of action for a public nuisance.