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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 a Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Please be advised that the River District Board of Management (RDBM) will hold a Special RDBM meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The purpose of the Special RDBM meeting is for the RDBM to consider a deputation respecting a partnership request with the Beth Ezekiel Synagogue for the Safer and Vital Communities Grant, as well as a staff report respecting options for non-eligible recycling collection in the River District.
The City of Owen Sound announces that online registration for the 2026 camping season at Harrison Park Family Campground opens next week, beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026.
The popular campground will operate from Thursday, May 14, until Monday, October 12, 2026. All reservations must be made through the City's online booking system at OwenSound.ca/Campgrounds, with payment required at the time of booking. Sites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The refund policy can be viewed here.
Due to the impact of current and forecasted weather conditions on the City’s road and sidewalk infrastructure, the City of Owen Sound has declared a Significant Weather Event that will remain in effect until further notice.
The declaration of a significant weather event is not a notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure. It is intended to notify the public that caution must be observed when travelling on city-maintained roads. Restoring the roads to optimal conditions may take longer than usual.
As winter weather continues to bring snow and fluctuating conditions, the City of Owen Sound reminds residents that snowbanks on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and are not removed by City crews.
City snow removal operations focus on maintaining safe and accessible public roadways, sidewalks, and municipal properties. Snowbanks that accumulate on driveways, lawns, or other private areas due to plowing or snowfall must be removed by residents or property owners.
In accordance with the Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards, the City of Owen Sound is declaring an end to the Significant Weather Event that was issued on January 19th, 2026.
Are you interested in helping to shape the decisions affecting the River District Business Improvement Area? If so, consider applying to serve as a Director on the River District Board of Management.
Volunteers are one of our most valued community resources. If you are interested in serving on the River District Board of Management, please submit an application to the Deputy Clerk. Application forms are due Friday, February 20, and are available on the City of Owen Sound’s website or at the Service Owen Sound counter in City Hall.
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of its Winter 2026 exhibitions: Forecast – January to June and Harold Klunder: The Dance of Life. Both exhibitions open with a public reception on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 pm at the Gallery.
Nominations for the 2026 Arts and Culture are now open. The City of Owen Sound is inviting the public to help recognize the significant contributions of our local arts and culture community.
The awards reception will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre on Thursday, April 16 starting at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public, includes light snacks, entertainment and cash bar. The biannual Arts and Culture awards are presented in partnership this year with the annual Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year awards.
The Province of Ontario has released its annual review of Owen Sound's municipal finances, a look back at 2024 performance, and the results show significant improvements across key indicators used to assess the City's financial health.
These annual indicators, based on the City's 2024 Financial Information Return, provide the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing with a standardized way to evaluate whether municipalities are sustainable, financially flexible, and managing risk appropriately.
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