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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.
A new public-facing Geographic Information System (GIS) web application is now available through the City of Owen Sound’s website. This interactive tool offers residents improved access to a range of mapped city services and information. It makes it easy to explore a range of city services and infrastructure through information-rich map layers.
The City of Owen Sound will begin the annual fire hydrant flushing program this week and will continue until September. Flushing will start in the City's Municipal Pressure Zone area, identified in yellow on the map.
The City of Owen Sound reminds residents and visitors to ‘Be Prepared’ during Emergency Preparedness Week, May 4 to 10, 2025. This national event, held annually during the first full week of May, raises awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness for individuals, families, and communities.
9th Avenue East between 6th Street and 9th Street will have lane reductions for asphalt repair/resurfacing on Monday, May 5, 2025, beginning at 8:00 a.m., weather permitting. The closure is expected to last until 5:00 p.m.
As of May 1, the Province of Ontario has legislatively designated Owen Sound as a "Strong Mayor" municipality—one of 170 across the province. This designation grants the Mayor additional powers, including the ability to unilaterally hire and dismiss senior staff, prepare and submit the budget, and veto by-laws that conflict with provincial priorities.
The City of Owen Sound is pleased to announce the 2025 Volunteer Award Recipients. On behalf of Owen Sound City Council, Mayor Ian Boddy, along with Chair of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Marion Keopke, and Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers, awards were presented at the beginning of the April 28 Council meeting.
The 2025 Home and Cottage Expo will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and JD McArthur Arena this weekend, Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will showcase 140 indoor exhibitors, including popular businesses across Ontario, interactive displays, local municipal building officials, a dedicated green energy section, 30 outdoor exhibitors, including outdoor furniture, sheds, equipment, vehicles, small home-based businesses, and a kids’ zone that includes pony rides, games, balloons and more!
The City of Owen Sound is celebrating local innovators and entrepreneurs with a new economic development toolkit that highlights the amenities, opportunities, and sense of connectedness enjoyed by residents.
Available in both digital and print formats, the cinematic community profile invites potential residents and investors to spend time getting to know their future neighbours.
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:
The following staff reports are available on the City’s website and provide information on the amendment:
The meeting at which the by-law will be presented will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 808 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H4.
Notice is being provided in accordance with Notice By-law No. 2018-022. If the matter is postponed or considered at a subsequent Council meeting, no additional notice will be provided other than the information on the subsequent Council agenda.
The Owen Sound River District, Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound, Optimist Club of Sydenham & District, Owen Sound & District Junior Optimists, Scenic Cycle, and Owen Sound Police Services are proud to present the Wheel & Ride Safety Festival and Bike Program on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
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