Water and Wastewater

COVID-19: City of Owen Sound

For the most up to date information, please visit the City's COVID-19 website.

In order to help our rate-payers during this time, the following is a list of measures the City of Owen Sound has currently implemented:

• Utility bill due dates have been extended from 21 days to 36 days to allow an additional 15 days grace period on any amounts owing.
• Penalties have been reinstated effective July 1, 2020 and will be applied monthly to all utility and property tax accounts.
• As we continue to navigate our way through this, we are keeping a close eye on what the Federal and Provincial Governments, as well as Grey County, are doing
• Please note the current pre-authorized payment plans will continue as normal as a way for rate-payers to budget their water/wastewater billings for 2020. Please contact us directly (as soon as you are able to) if you would like to be removed from our plans
• Contact us at waterbilling@owensound.ca to discuss any specifics to your account as well as to make changes to any pre-authorized payment plans
• Please visit Grey County's COVID-19 Resources for Business for further information and assistance
• For further resources and assistance, please visit 211 Ontario
• Please note that City Hall is currently closed to the public and we have many staff working remotely and assisting other departments. We will respond to your inquiry within 48 business hours. We appreciate your patience.

Water and Wastewater Property Sale/Purchase Form

If you are purchasing or selling a property within Owen Sound, please complete the Water and Wastewater Property Sale/Purchase Form

Home Owner Information Package

2020-2021 Water and Wastewater Rates 

All rates shown are for properties within the boundaries of the City of Owen Sound.  Rates for properties outside the City of Owen Sound boundaries are double the amounts shown above.The monthly service charge plus applicable wastewater charges will constitute a minimum bill during a month without water consumption. 

Wastewater Charges

The wastewater rate is 124% of the customer's total water charges (water consumption charge plus water service charge).

A printable version of our water and wastewater rates can be found here. 

2019 Water and Waste Water Services Budget

Information regarding our 2019 water and waste water budget can be found here. 

Pre-Authorized Payment Enrolment

Set up a pre-authorized debit plan to pay your Water Bill conveniently and efficiently. Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account on the due date of each bill. Residents are provided the convenient option to either:

• Complete a pre-authorized debit plan online form, or
• Complete, sign, and print or email a pre-authorized debit plan pdf along with a void cheque to the Owen Sound Water Billing Department.

Returned payments (NSF etc.) are subject to a $40.00 charge as well as penalty charges. 

Paperless Billing Enrolment

Utility ebilling offers a convenient, timely, effective, and environmentally friendly way to receive your bills. These ebills will look the same as your paper copy and your billing cycle will remain the same. 

If you would like to enroll, please complete the receive your bills electronically form. You will no longer receive a paper copy of your bill. 

Water Conservation Tips

Guide to Detecting Water Leaks 

If you have a water leak that goes undetected, your water use will increase leading to higher consumption charges, and ultimately, higher water bills. 

To help avoid such instances, we have created a useful water leak detection guide for your reference. 

Even a small drip can have a huge inpact on your water bill. To estimate how much water is wasted on a daily/monthly/yearly basis in your household, visit DrinkTap.org*. 

*Please note that is for estimation purposes only. 

Water Leak Adjustment Form 

Customers may seek an adjustment to an unusally high water bill due to an undetected leak that has been fixed.
We will offer a one-time leak adjustment per property, if the criteria is met below: 

• An adjustment will be considered after all leaks have been repaired and verified with an actual meter reading.
• Adjustment shall not be considered for disputed bills that are over six months old.
• Payment equivalent to a normal usage bill is required during the review process to keep your account current.
• This form must be completed and returned within twenty one (21) days after receiving the unusally high water bill.

For instructions and to fill out the form, please download our Leak Adjustment Form. 

Wastewater Treatment Process & Information

The City of Owen Sound Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on the eastern shore in Owen Sound, on 3rd Avenue East, just north of the Bayshore Community Centre.  

Wastewater is thoroughly treated to ensure it is safe for the public's health and the environment. For a detailed description of each treatment stage, download our wastewater treatment brochure: The City of Owen Sound's Wastewater Treatment Process.

Understanding your Water Bill

Water Billing Cycle Map

Did you know that the first three digits of your utility account indicate when your water meter will be read?

For example: 007.009221.00

The 007 indicates that your meter will be read on cycle 7. The water meters in this cycle will be read the following months: February, May, August, and November. 

Remember that utility bills are sent out every three months! If you are unsure about when your meter will be read or what month your bill will be due, check out our Water Billing Cycle map. 

Billing Designate Form

 If you are a tenant, you and your landlord must complete and sign a billing designate form.  A billing designate form authorizes the City of Owen Sound to activate a water billing account in a tenant's name for the period that they will be residing at a rental property. 

 A billing designate form must be signed and completed in its entirety before a new water billing account will be opened. 
 Failure to do so will delay the process of transferring a water account into the tenant(s) name. 

 You may either mail, email, or drop-off in person the completed form at least 14 business days prior to the move-in date. 

 * For instruction on how to add a digit signature, please read our instruction sheet. 

How to Pay your Water Bill 

• In person at City Hall during normal business hours. We accept payment by cheque, cash, or debit.

• Cheques may be dropped in the afterhours drop box located at the front door of City Hall (Please bring the detachable portion of your bill). We recommend that you place your cheque in a sealed envelope with 'water billing' written upon it. Please do not place cash in the drop box. 

• At your bank or trust company. Pay at the teller or through an ATM. You are responsible to pay any service charges levied by them (Please take the entire bill with you).

• Internet/Telephone banking - most financial institutions offer the "City of Owen Sound" or "Owen Sound City" as one of their payments. Be sure to pick "Water" and not taxes to ensure that your payment is applied to the correct account. 

• You may mail your cheque (Please include the detachable portion of the bill)
  to City Hall: 
  
  City of Owen Sound - Water Billing Department 
  808 2nd Ave E. 
  Owen Sound, ON.  N4K 2H4

• Through our Pre-authorized payment (PAD) plan.  Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account on the due date of each bill. 
  
  
• Credit Card payments may be completed through www.paysimply.ca. This secure, third-party Canadian payment provider accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express for a convenience fee.

Payment must be received at City Hall by the due date to avoid penalty. A late payment charge of 1.5% (18% perannum) is calculated on the amount outstanding and will be added to the water utility account on the 15^th of each month after the due date, and on each 15^th of the month thereafter. 

For more information, questions, or comments please contact our Utilities Collection Clerk at 519-376-4440 ex 1243 or waterbilling@owensound.ca

Water Billing Forms

 Here are the forms you need to change your address, cancel pre-authorization, change banking information and more. 
 Forms are fillable and can be emailed to waterbilling@owensound.ca,  mailed, or dropped off at City Hall.