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Tip: We recommend bookmarking the portal for future use.
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Precautionary Boil Water Advisory and Residents Asked to Temporarily Reduce Use of Water in City of Owen Sound
As advised by Grey Bruce Public Health, the City of Owen Sound has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for all residents and consumers using the municipal water system. This is a precautionary measure due to high levels of turbidity (cloudiness in the water) observed at the water treatment plant. High levels of turbidity can interfere with disinfection, which is one component of water treatment. The water currently continues to meet all other quality and testing standards.
While the precautionary boil water advisory is in place, please bring all water to a rolling boil for one (1) minute before using it for drinking, preparing food or beverages, making ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth. This is particularly important for young children, older adults and people who are immuno-compromised to protect their health.
It’s not necessary to boil tap water used for other household purposes, such as showering, laundry, bathing or washing dishes.
Drinking water directly from the tap is not recommended and could potentially result in illness.
In addition to boiling water, the City of Owen Sound is asking all residents, as well as anyone who lives or works in a building connected to the City’s water system, to reduce their water use. This request will aid in required remedial actions.
This impacts the entire City of Owen Sound as well as parts of Meaford (Village of Leith) and Georgian Bluffs who are connected to the City of Owen Sound water system.
The City of Owen Sound is monitoring the water quality closely with increased testing and working with Grey Bruce Public Health to assess the potential risk to health and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place.
Residents will be notified when the precautionary boil water advisory notice is lifted at OwenSound.ca/News. This will occur when the water is confirmed to be safe to consume.
Please share this information with contacts who use the municipal water system in the City of Owen Sound.
Notice to Ratepayers Regarding Water Bills
March 6, 2026: Some water bills are currently delayed and will be issued shortly. We are working on the issue and will have them available as soon as possible. Bills will be due 21 days after mailout day; ratepayers will not be charged a penalty if paid within this timeframe. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this issue.
To confirm, register, or amend your information, visit Register to Vote Ontario until August 14, 2026. Our Municipal Election Day is October 26, 2026.
City of Owen Sound ratepayers can now log-in to manage their Tax and Waterbilling accounts with the City of Owen Sound. Ratepayers can view their Property Tax and Water/Wastewater bills, make payments via credit card, set up pre-authorized payments, change their billing preference to paperless, order tax/water certificates and so much more.
Activating your Account
1. Go to the Virtual City Hall Portal
Visit our Virtual City Hall Portal.
Tip: We recommend bookmarking the portal for future use.
2. Have your Accounts Receivable, Tax, or Water/Wastewater Bill with you
Have your property roll number or utility account number on hand to enter the appropriate information to create an account. You will need to input the name of the account holder you are creating an account for as it appears on the bill (last name first name) and a valid email address.



3. Create a username and password to activate your account
When in the Virtual City Hall portal, complete the following steps:
4. To Make a Payment with Virtual City Hall
Already have a Virtual City Hall Account with the City of Owen Sound?
Sign in to the portal with your username and password. (If you do not remember your password, enter your username and click on the forgot my password link on the sign-in page to have a password reset email sent directly to you).
If you get stuck, we are here to help! Contact Service Owen Sound at 519-376-4440 ext. 1950, Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or email us at service@owensound.ca
Contact Us
808 2nd Avenue East,
Owen Sound, ON
N4K 2H4
Phone: 519-376-1440
Email us
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