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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.
The City of Owen Sound will lower flags at City Hall to half-mast on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in honour and remembrance of Paul Duncan, a dedicated former member of the City’s Public Works Department.
The fifth of eight Household Hazardous Waste Day events of 2025 is this Saturday, August 16! The event will be held at the Owen Sound Public Works Facility (1900 20th Street East) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The remaining schedule of Household Hazardous Waste Days in 2025 includes the following Saturdays: September 13, October 4, and October 25.
From the afternoon of Thursday, August 14th, through end of day Monday, August 18, traffic lanes will be reduced on both sides of the road north of the bridge on the Eddie Sargent Parkway to accommodate The Georgian Bay Folk Society’s 50th Summerfolk Music & Craft Festival.
Delays should be expected; please allow for additional travel time and consider an alternate route of travel where possible.
The City of Owen Sound is saddened to share the passing of former Councillor Ann Kelly, a passionate and lifelong community volunteer. Ann served on Owen Sound City Council from 1989 to 1997, and again from 2001-2003. Ann’s life was marked by a deep commitment to service, compassion, and community spirit.
The City of Owen Sound has completed Zone G for the annual fire hydrant flushing program this week and will continue to Zone C.
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.
The 2025 Salmon Spectacular returns Friday, August 22, through Sunday, August 31, 2025, and the City of Owen Sound reminds residents and visitors to plan ahead for camping and boating needs.
For maps, rules, and booking links for all camping and boating options, visit:
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It is not uncommon for the City of Owen Sound water to experience some short-duration taste and odour issues in late August to early September as Georgian Bay temperatures hit their seasonal peaks. Here is what you should know.
The City of Owen Sound is notifying motorists of temporary flagging near the intersection of 9th Avenue East and 6th Street East on Wednesday, August 13, and Thursday, August 14, 2025, due to manhole replacement.
This is part of the large 9th Avenue East infrastructure project underway in the area. The scope of work includes replacing the underground pipe network, expanding sidewalks, and resurfacing roads.
The City of Owen Sound is pleased to announce that a building permit has been issued for the Bayshore Terrace development, located at the partially constructed site directly across from the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
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