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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.
Please be advised that there has been a Special Meeting of the Service Review Implementation Ad-hoc Committee added for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
The City of Owen Sound has completed Zone A for the annual fire hydrant flushing program this week and will continue to Zone G.
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery is now accepting submissions for Convergence, its biennial juried exhibition dedicated to environmentally engaged contemporary art. Running from October 18, 2025, to January 17, 2026, the exhibition will feature a dynamic selection of work by emerging and established artists from across Ontario whose practices explore the complex and evolving relationship between people and the planet.
The fourth of eight Household Hazardous Waste Day events of 2025 is this Saturday, July 12! 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 second of three Goods Exchange Days of 2025 takes place the following Saturday, July 19.
The City of Owen Sound is saddened to share the passing of former Councillor Jan Chamberlain, a passionate and dedicated community leader.
Jan served on Owen Sound City Council from 2010 to 2014, and her commitment to the community extended far beyond her time in office. She was a dedicated member of several key committees, including those focused on housing, healthcare, tourism, and community development. Jan also played an instrumental role in milestone celebrations such as the City’s Homecoming in 1987 and again in 2007.
The City of Owen Sound is notifying motorists of construction happening on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
The construction crew will be working on July 1, 2025, on the ongoing rehabilitation project of 9th Avenue East from Superior Street to 6th Street East. They will be off in observance of the Canada Day holiday on Monday, June 30, 2025.
With Canada Day celebrations just around the corner, the City of Owen Sound is sharing important information about facility closures, adjusted hours, and special programming to help residents and visitors plan ahead.
The City of Owen Sound is reminding residents that the cost of garbage bag tags will increase from $2.50 to $3.00 starting Tuesday, July 1, 2025. This fee increase was approved by City Council as part of the Fees and Charges By-Law on June 16, 2025.
Owen Sound will celebrate Canada Day on July 1 at Kelso Beach at Nawash Park with gates opening at 10 a.m. This FREE family event features entertainers, live music, over 60 marketplace vendors, 15+ food trucks, an interactive Bricks & Blocks Lego Family Fun Zone, flying dog shows, pony rides, Big Canoe tours on the water, interactive games and activities, emergency vehicles, and more!
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