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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 10th Street East to through traffic from 11th Avenue East to 16th Avenue East between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, for tree removal.
This month, the Draft Operating Budget is being shared at Committee Meetings as part of the budget-building process on the following dates:
Motorists travelling on 10th Street between 2nd Avenue West and 2nd Avenue East may experience eastbound lane reductions on Monday, October 7, 2024, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The sidewalk on the south side of the 10th Street bridge will also be closed to pedestrians between 1st Avenue West and 2nd Avenue East.
The second last Household Hazardous Waste Day event is taking place this Saturday, October 5! The event will be held at the Public Works Facility (1900 20th Street East) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ongoing efforts and focus on increasing brand recognition, promotion and experience development in the Owen Sound River District have made strides since 2020. Most recent analytics, reported to the River District Board of Management in September, show that the vacancy rate of commercial business space in the River District continues to improve occupancy rates.
The City of Owen Sound observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, on September 30. To recognize and honour Indigenous lives lost, the survivors, and the lasting impact of the residential school system, flags will be at half-mast across City facilities on Monday.
On Saturday, September 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Tom Thomson Art Gallery will unveil three new exhibitions, including a community partner project with Owen Sound’s Reach Centre.
Earlier this year, Owen Sound Council approved a three-year camera pilot program in the River District, which would include installing 17 cameras over two phases. Phase one of this project has been completed, with nine operational cameras installed late last week.
Drop by the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library on Wednesday, September 18, to chat with Fire Prevention Officer Greg Nicol about fire safety in your home and beyond. Officer Nicol will have a fire safety house on hand and be available to answer questions or provide tips for all ages. He’ll be on the Main Level from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Please be advised that the Operations Committee Meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. has been cancelled.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
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