Water and Wastewater Department

The City is responsible for operating and maintaining the municipal water and wastewater systems within the City of Owen Sound. These responsibilities include the uninterrupted supply and distribution of clean and safe drinking water to all residential and business customers, as well as the safe treatment of all wastewater from all residential and business customers.

There are two parts to our water system at the City of Owen Sound: Water Distribution and Wastewater Treatment.

Water Distribution Services & Infrastructure

Water distribution refers to the clean water that comes out of your taps. The City of Owen Sound is responsible for the supply and distribution of clean and safe drinking water to all residential and business customers within our City.

Wastewater Infrastructure

Wastewater is the flow of used water from homes and businesses. This used or "dirty" water is sent down a drain from ordinary habits, like bathing, toilet flushing, and laundry. For example, once you finish washing dishes, gravity moves the wastewater out of your home and through a network of municipal pipes throughout the City of Owen Sound and drains to our treatment facility.

Water distribution and wastewater treatment services are funded through user fees; no tax dollars are collected to provide City water services.

The City of Owen Sound Water & Wastewater Department is responsible for the following:

Annual Reports

Water System

Drinking Water Quality Management System Policy

Wastewater System

Wastewater Quality Management System Policy

The City of Owen Sound's Quality Management System Operational Plan is available to view at the City of Owen Sound Public Works Office at 1900 20th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1Z4.

Financial Plan

Drinking Water Source Protection

The Drinking Water Source Protection Committee for the Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula Region has completed Source Protection Plans. These plans include policies to reduce the risk of contamination and overuse to local drinking water sources. To learn more about Drinking Water Source Protection and view reports on local drinking water sources visit www.waterprotection.ca.

Water Treatment and Distribution

The City of Owen Sound Water Treatment and Distribution System consists of approximately 142 kilometers of pipe and services approximately 7000 connections. It includes two booster stations, the reservoir and the Water Treatment Plant. The distribution system consists of multiple pressure zones.

Additional information is available on Grey Bruce Health Unit's water information webpage.

Wastewater Collection and Treatment

The City of Owen Sound Wastewater Collection System consists of approximately 111 kilometers of pipe and services approximately 7000 connections. It includes several minor pumping stations and one major pumping stations. It discharges to the Owen Sound Wastewater Treatment Plant located north of the Bayshore Community Centre.

Water and Sewer Servicing Requests

The City of Owen Sound does not provide water and sewer installation construction services.

To request water and sewer servicing, please complete the form linked below. Upon submission, City staff will review the application and will be in touch by email within 5 business days.

Water and Sewer Servicing Request Form

The residents of Owen Sound can have the greatest confidence that all steps are being taken to ensure that our municipal drinking water continues to be clean and safe for everyone.

If you have an urgent water-related issue, please call 519-376-4274.