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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.
On July 22, 2025, at 12:30 a.m., Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of smoke in the area of 6th Street East and 9th Avenue East.
Firefighters responded to the call and found a two-storey building on fire. The structure was fully involved. The building appeared not to have been in use for several years. It was a complete loss, and demolition was required to make the scene safe.
The urgent need for affordable, safe housing is not unique to the Scenic City, but it is a pressing one. To address this challenge head-on, the City of Owen Sound is taking decisive action through a strategic partnership with the Province of Ontario, Owen Sound Housing Company Limited (OSHCL), and Grey County.
At the July 21, 2025 City Council meeting, Council approved a deliberate and coordinated action that will begin the transfer of lands adjacent to Bayfield Landing to the Owen Sound Housing Company Limited. This strategic use of lands recently acquired with support from Grey County and the Province of Ontario, will directly support the development of affordable housing.
The City of Owen Sound will be reducing lanes between 23rd Street West and 24th Street West on 3rd Avenue West on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:30AM. This closure is needed for the installation of a set of sanitary sewer and water services and is expected to reopen by the end of the day on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Owen Sound kicks off its Outdoor Movie Night season on Friday, July 25 at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre with a free screening of Disney’s new Snow White. The family-friendly evening begins at 7 p.m. with kids’ activities and the movie starting at dusk.
Adding to the excitement, the majestic TS Playfair Tall Ship will be docked nearby from July 25–28, offering free public deck tours on Sunday, July 27. Visitors can also explore the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre all weekend and enjoy a live Celtic music performance by The O'Deadlys at TD Harbour Nights on Sunday evening. It’s a weekend full of movies, music, history, and maritime fun on Owen Sound’s harbourfront.
The City of Owen Sound is advising residents and visitors to plan ahead for road and waterway disruptions this Sunday, July 20, 2025, as the Subaru Triathlon Series returns to the city, featuring both sprint and Olympic distance races.
The event, hosted at Kelso Beach at Nawash Park, will see over 400 athletes swimming, cycling, and running through Owen Sound’s roadways and inner harbour throughout the day.
Please be advised that City Council will hold a Special Council meeting on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The purpose of the Special Council meeting is for Council to discuss several matters in Closed Session.
The Special Council meeting agenda will be available for review prior to the meeting and the open portion of the meeting will be livestreamed on the Council and Committee page on the City's website.
For more information, please contact Allison Penner, Deputy Clerk at 519-376-4440 ext. 1235 or by email to apenner@owensound.ca.
The City of Owen Sound is proud to announce the beginning of a major roof renovation project at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre, home to the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce. This project, co-led by the City and the YMCA, highlights the importance of maintaining and investing in City-owned infrastructure that supports community wellness and recreation.
Please be advised that the Operations Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 17th, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. has been cancelled.
To accommodate the installation of seasonal banners along 10th Street between 1st Avenue West and 4th Avenue East, traffic will be disrupted between 11 am and 5 pm. Disruptions will be intermittent as they are moving through the area one banner pole at a time.
The City of Owen Sound will be closing the Westbound Lane of 10th Street West to through traffic from 6th Avenue West to 4th Avenue West between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, for tree removal.
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