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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.
Please be advised that the agenda for the March 24, 2025 meeting of Owen Sound City Council has now been published. The agenda is available for review on the Council and Committee page of the City’s website.
Staff would like to thank the public for their patience while the technical difficulties causing the delay were resolved.
For more information, please contact Allison Penner, Deputy Clerk at 519-376-4440 ext. 1235 or email to apenner@owensound.ca.
The City of Owen Sound regrets to announce that the 2025 Arts and Culture Awards ceremony, initially scheduled for Thursday, April 24, has been cancelled due to insufficient nominations.
The Volunteer of the Year, Senior of the Year, and Youth Volunteer of the Year awards will be presented at Owen Sound City Council on Monday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers.
Please be advised that publication of the agenda for the March 24, 2025 meeting of Owen Sound City Council has been delayed due to technical difficulties beyond the City’s control. Staff are working with the external service provider responsible for agenda management software to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Staff apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for patience from the public at this time.
Further notice will be provided once the agenda is available for review on the Council and Committee page on the City’s website.
For more information, please contact Allison Penner, Deputy Clerk at 519-376-4440 ext. 1235 or email to apenner@owensound.ca.
The Owen Sound River District is excited to announce the launch of a new local initiative as part of the nationwide movement: Shop Main Street Canada. Support Local. This campaign encourages our community to embrace a local-first mindset and recognize the importance of supporting Main Street businesses that serve as the economic and cultural heartbeat of our City.
As spring approaches, Owen Sound residents can look forward to the maple sap running. Unfortunately, the best conditions for maple syrup making are the worst for roads! Freeze-thaw cycles due to daytime positive temperatures and nighttime lows are the best recipe for potholes. Staff are ready for them and are repairing damage in priority areas across the city. In the meantime, drivers should use caution and report any areas of concern.
City staff have temporarily closed the following trails in Harrison Park due to flooding and flooding damage:
With temperatures gradually rising and moisture being released from the accumulated snow, residents should double-check their homes to minimize the risk of water leaks and other damage.
As the snow melts, it will collect in natural and manmade collection systems such as storm sewers, ditches and creeks. Always be cautious of open water, as it may be deeper or more unstable than it appears.
In accordance with the Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards, the City of Owen Sound is declaring an end to the Significant Weather Event that was issued on February 12, 2025.
The Good Cheer Rink at Harrison Park will be closed beginning Monday, March 10, 2025, due to current warm weather and sunny conditions.
The City appreciates the public's patience and understanding at this time. For regular updates about the Good Cheer Rink at Harrison Park, visit OwenSound.ca/PublicSkating and follow the City of Owen Sound on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The City of Owen Sound continues to make significant progress on its Climate Action Strategy, with over half of its planned initiatives either completed or currently in progress. While significant steps have been taken, the City acknowledges that ongoing efforts are required to achieve its long-term climate goals.
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