ECWP Significant Surface Water Contribution Areas

An SSWCA is defined in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) as, “Areas, generally associated with headwater catchments, that contribute to baseflow volumes which are significant to the overall surface water flow volumes within a watershed.” Municipalities have sought further clarity from the province, herein the definition of SSWCAs is focused on contribution to baseflow volumes that are significant to surface water flow volumes, which is more specific than simply delineating headwaters. SSWCAs are those areas which are both SGRAs and ESGRAs; the methodologies used to delineate SGRAs and ESGRAs should be used to identify SSWCAs.”