If a sewer spill has a flow of 166 gpm for 217 minutes, how is the total spill volume calculated?

To calculate the total spill volume from a sewer spill, the correct approach is to multiply the flow rate by the duration of the spill.

The flow rate indicates how much liquid is flowing per unit of time, in this case, gallons per minute (gpm). The duration represents the total time over which this flow occurs, expressed in minutes. By multiplying these two values together, you obtain the total volume of liquid spilled over that duration. Thus, in this instance, the volume would be calculated as 166 gpm multiplied by 217 minutes. This method provides a straightforward way to quantify the total amount of fluid that has leaked, which is essential for environmental assessments and response actions.

Understanding this formula is crucial in wastewater management, as accurately measuring spill volumes helps in determining the potential impact on the environment and in planning mitigation strategies.