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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 latest video in Grey County’s Gather in Grey campaign is now live, highlighting some of the rich, diverse and delicious culinary offerings of Owen Sound. Titled ‘Gather in Owen Sound,’ the feature is part of a region-wide storytelling series hosted by internationally acclaimed chef and artist Roger Mooking, Grey County’s first Culinary Ambassador.
Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with the City of Owen Sound, has posted the beach at Kelso Beach at Nawash Park in Owen Sound as unsafe for swimming after water-sampling results – received Wednesday afternoon – showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.
Please be advised that the Corporation of the City of Owen Sound intends to adopt an amendment to Fees and Charges By-law No. 2024-078, in accordance with subsection 391(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25.
The Fees and Charges By-law is being updated to:
Add and increase fees related to by-law services.
The City of Owen Sound is notifying motorists of a change in traffic signals at the intersection of 9th Avenue East and 6th Street East.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane on Tuesday, August 5 and Wednesday, August 6, with flaggers on site to direct traffic. This is part of the large 9th Avenue East infrastructure project underway in the area. The scope of work includes underground pipe network replacement, sidewalk expansion, and road resurfacing.
Shortly before 7:30 a.m., Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services responded to a three-story building in the 900 block of 2nd Avenue East for a report of smoke filling the hallway.
As the August long weekend approaches, the City wants to help you plan ahead with details on facility closures and adjusted hours for Monday, August 4.
The City of Owen Sound hosted a professionally facilitated stakeholder meeting on Monday, July 28, to gather targeted feedback from downtown business owners, social service representatives, and other stakeholders on safety and business conditions in the River District. The “Community Stakeholder Discussion to Foster a Vibrant River District” was held in response to a request from the Owen Sound Police Services Board.
The insights and potential actions from the meeting will be shared in a report to Owen Sound Council in September.
Grey County is improving the intersection of 14th Street West and 2nd Avenue West (Grey Road 1). Walker Construction, the County's contractor retained to complete this work, is planning closures in the Grey Road 1 and 14th Street West area on Wednesday, July 30, and Thursday, July 31.
The City of Owen Sound invites members of the media and the public to attend a special ceremony and plaque unveiling celebrating the Manitoba-inspired lights and public area on the inner east harbour. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the Manitoba, just north of Mudtown Station Brewery & Restaurant, which will be hosting Midweek Music the same day, beginning at 4:30 p.m. This event offers an opportunity for the public to gather, celebrate, and learn more about the story behind the lights and the public area.
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.
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