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Glossary beginning with P

terms for which definitions are available

PA Act 167

Stormwater Management Act

PADCNR

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

PADEP

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

peak discharge

the maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm event

PEC

Pennsylvania Environmental Council

PFBC

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

phosphate

an oxidized form of phosphorus, which may be organic or inorganic; inorganic phosphates are generally more likely to be available as nutrients for biological growth

pipe

a culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including appurtenances) that conveys stormwater

point source

pollution discharged from a single point, defined in the Clean Water Act as “any discernable, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, vessel, or other floating craft from which pollutants are or may be discharged.”

post-construction

period after construction during which disturbed areas are stabilized, stormwater controls are in place and functioning, and all proposed improvements in the approved land development plan are completed

pre-construction

prior to commencing construction activities

pretreatment

techniques employed in stormwater Best Management Practices to provide storage or filtering to trap coarse materials and other pollutants before they enter the system

PWD

Philadelphia Water Department