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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 City of Owen Sound will be closing 6th Avenue West between 9th St A West and 9th St West for sewer repairs starting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23rd. This closure is needed to keep everyone safe and allow the work to be completed efficiently.
Parkview Park and the Bruce Side Trail from the Fitness Trail in Harrison Park to Parkview Park will be closed on Tuesday, October 22, Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24, for urgent ash tree removals. All trees being removed are infected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The park and trail will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 25.
The City of Owen Sound has completed the annual fire hydrant flushing program. Thank you to all residents for their patience while this program took place. Yearly fire hydrant flushing ensures they are operational and improves water quality.
The City of Owen Sound is set to host an in-person Community Open House on Thursday, November 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bayshore Community Centre. This event is a come-and-go evening that offers residents a unique opportunity to engage directly with city staff and learn about the essential services that impact their daily lives and share your ideas about our services with Staff.
The 2025 Home and Cottage Expo will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and JD McArthur Arena on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Business registration is now open for the Expo, which is a collaborative partnership between the City of Owen Sound, the Knights of Columbus, and the Grey Bruce Home Builders Association.
The last Household Hazardous Waste Day event is taking place this Saturday, October 19! The event will be held at the Public Works Facility (1900 20th Street East) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Owen Sound Wastewatchers will be volunteering at the event this Saturday to collect old dry cigarette butts (cigars, too), lighters, cartons, foil, vapes and plastic lids, as well as provide information on proper disposal. If you’re bringing these items, please ensure they are in a sealed container, separate from other hazardous waste, and easily accessible. Volunteers will collect them before staff begin unloading your vehicle.
Owen Sound residents interested in helping shape the decisions affecting their city are encouraged to consider volunteering as a member of a City Committee!
City Council invites persons wishing to serve as a member of a committee to submit an application to the Deputy Clerk.
Just over a year after the tragic passing of Sharif Rahman, the local business owner and YMCA board member will have an oak tree planted in his honour outside the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre.
In January 2023, Owen Sound residents and visitors joined together to celebrate the game of hockey when Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada blanketed the city with all things hockey. Being a true hockey community, several partners have come together, supported by the City of Owen Sound, to keep annual celebrations going, with HockeyFest 2024 planned for Thursday, November 14, to Saturday, November 16.
HockeyFest is a partnership between Owen Sound Girls Hockey, local elementary and high schools, and the City of Owen Sound with the support of the University of Waterloo Warriors, who compete within Ontario University Athletics.
On October 23, Jay Pitter Placemaking and the City of Owen Sound will host an Inclusive and Creative Community Engagement professional development workshop for community stakeholders at the Bayshore Community Centre from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
As previously announced, the City of Owen Sound has engaged Jay Pitter Placemaking to lead the Future Owen Sound —Vision 2050, which is responding to multiple rapid changes within and beyond the city.
Register for the (free) Inclusive and Creative Community Engagement Workshop here.
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