General City News

In consultation with Grey Bruce Public Health, the City of Owen Sound’s precautionary boil water advisory has been lifted, effective immediately. 

The precautionary boil water advisory for the City of Owen Sound has been lifted based on an engineering assessment, conducted by Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), confirming adequate disinfection of the water. This confirms the water is safe to drink.

The City of Owen Sound water system users remain under a precautionary boil water advisory.  A dedicated page on the City’s website at OwenSound.ca/BoilWaterAdvisory has been created and will continue to be updated regularly.

Thank you to residents and water users for continuing to be diligent and patient in their efforts to practise safe water consumption, water conservation, and sharing updates with neighbours. 

Is there bottled water available for residents?  When will this be over? Click here for answers to these questions.

The City of Owen Sound water system users remain under a precautionary boil water advisory, as issued in the evening of Saturday, March 14. 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. 

Residents and water users are also asked to continue to conserve water use where possible. We want to thank residents for their patience and efforts so far in following the precautionary boil water advisory and reducing water use, those actions are helping support the system while conditions stabilize.

Over the past 24 hours, staff have noted that turbidity levels are improving. The City continues to monitor the water quality closely with increased testing and is working with Grey Bruce Public Health to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. 

This update includes reminders and frequently asked questions relating to water use reduction and the boil water advisory (click to see).  The City will be creating a page on the City website which will be live Monday March 16 dedicated to this issue.  The frequently asked questions and responses will be updated daily and will also include links to the Grey Bruce Public Health’s public drinking water webpage, which includes Boil Water fact sheets, like this general one. 

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.  

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.

The City of Owen Sound is seeking interested business operators to submit proposals for the operation of a food concession at Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre located at 700 10th Street East, Owen Sound.  The City-owned building is home to twin NHL ice pads and a health, fitness and recreation centre, including an 8-lane pool, warm water pool and a full fitness facility operated by the YMCA Owen Sound Grey Bruce.

After another well-used winter season, the City of Owen Sound announces that the Good Cheer Rink at Harrison Park is now closed for the season. The City thanks everyone who visited the rink this season and helped make it a lively community gathering place.

Please be advised that the Committee of Adjustment hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026 has been rescheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. The meeting was previously scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

The Committee of Adjustment also serves, as required, as the Property Standards Committee pursuant to the City’s Board and Committee By-law. The Committee of Adjustment will sit as the Property Standards Committee to hear two appeals of property standards orders on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, beginning at 3:00 p.m. 

Our apologies, the previous notice for the upcoming PIC listed the date incorrectly. Below is the corrected date. Thank you for your understanding. 

Please be advised that a Public Information Centre will take place on Thursday, March 19, at 4:30 PM outside the Council Chamber at City Hall. 

The City of Owen Sound, Public Works and Engineering department is notifying the public that effective Sunday, March 1, select roadways within the City will be under a reduced load period (maximum 5 tonnes per axle). This seasonal restriction is activated in alignment with Grey County and other local municipalities due to milder weather conditions at this time of year.