During a 15-minute pumping test, how many gallons were pumped into an empty tank if 15,820 gallons were the total?

To determine the flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm) during a 15-minute pumping test where a total of 15,820 gallons were pumped into an empty tank, the calculation involves dividing the total gallons pumped by the duration of the test in minutes.

In this case, you would take the total gallons of 15,820 and divide it by the 15 minutes of the test:

15,820 gallons ÷ 15 minutes = 1,054.67 gallons per minute.

Rounding this value gives approximately 1,055 gpm, which corresponds to the correct choice. This shows the process of conversion from total volume to flow rate over time, which is a key concept in understanding water flow dynamics and is crucial for those in water service operations. The importance of correctly calculating flow rates lies in ensuring appropriate water supply management and operational efficiency.