Precautionary Boil Water Advisory LIFTED

In consultation with Grey Bruce Public Health, the City of Owen Sound’s precautionary boil water advisory has been lifted, effective immediately (Monday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m.)

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.

A precautionary boil water advisory, like the one issued in Owen Sound, is issued when there’s no confirmed contamination, but one or more of the water-testing parameters indicate there could be a risk to public health (in this case, the turbidity or cloudiness of the water).  A standard boil water advisory is issued when the presence of harmful pathogens has been confirmed in the drinking water supply.

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City Continues Fire Hydrant Flushing into Zone B

By City of Owen Sound - Jul 24, 2025
The City of Owen Sound will continue with our annual fire hydrant flushing program and move into Zone B beginning Monday, July 28th, 2025. This program is critical to ensuring the operation of all city-owned fire hydrants, removing sediment from water mains, and monitoring water quality.    
Yearly fire hydrant flushing ensures they are operational and improves water quality. While flushing is happening, residents may experience low water pressure or cloudy or rusty water. This is normal when flushing older cast-iron water mains.   
Running a cold water tap for 5-30 minutes should clear the water. If that does not solve the issue, please call the City Water Department at 519-376-4274. If you have a water softener installed in your home, it is recommended that you run water from a tap that has not been through the softening system. 
For further information, please contact Bryce McDonald, Manager of Water & Wastewater, at (519) 376-4274 ext. 3224 or email bmcdonald@owensound.ca. 
Quick Facts: 
  • The City of Owen Sound Water system has approximately 675 fire hydrants. 
  • The fire hydrants have coloured reflective rings that indicate available fire flow. Red has the lowest fire flow, and blue has the highest. 
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808 2nd Avenue East,
Owen Sound, ON
N4K 2H4
Phone: 519-376-1440
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