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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.
Due to the impact of current and forecast 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 City of Owen Sound’s 2026 Budget, tabled by Mayor Ian Boddy on December 22, 2025, has been deemed adopted without amendments from Council.
The Mayor’s Budget was developed through careful and measured consultation with individual members of Council, the Director of Corporate Services, and the City Manager, in alignment with the Province of Ontario’s implementation of Strong Mayor authorities earlier this year.
The City of Owen Sound would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience as crews continue clean-up efforts across the city.
Due to the scope of work required, crews spent additional time completing downtown clean-up operations overnight on Wednesday, January 14. As a result, there are some delays in road and sidewalk maintenance in other areas of the city early this morning.
The City will pilot minor afternoon timing adjustments to Owen Sound Transit (OST) in an effort to improve on-time performance.
OST faces delays in the early and mid-afternoon due to traffic, school dismissals, construction, and weather. Recent changes improved reliability, but keeping buses on a 30-minute schedule during peak times remains difficult.
Please be advised that the Corporation of the City of Owen Sound intends to adopt an amendment to Fees and Charges By-law No. 2025-060, in accordance with subsection 391(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25.
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery (The TOM), in partnership with Owen Sound Waste Watchers (OSWW), is thrilled to announce the return of Upcycle TOM 2026, with Hillcrest Elementary School leading the charge! This year, students will again explore creativity, collaboration, and sustainability by creating upcycled artworks inspired by the legendary Canadian artist Tom Thomson.
The 2026 Grey Bruce Home and Lifestyle Show will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and JD McArthur Arena on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show now has a new name to better reflect its broader content, which has expanded to meet our attendees’ needs. The new branding highlights a more comprehensive experience. The traditional home design, renovation and outdoor living will now also include personal wellness, recreational activities such as hunting and fishing, technology, culture and healthy choices. The rebrand signals growth, freshness, and relevance to today’s evolving interests and consumer habits.
The City of Owen Sound is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Awards, inviting residents to recognize individuals whose generosity, leadership, and commitment strengthen our community. Awards are available in three categories: Youth Volunteer of the Year (ages 14-21), Senior of the Year (ages 65+), and Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year (any age).
Nominations are open now through March 1, 2026, and can be submitted through the online form at OwenSound.ca/Awards.
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 December 31, 2025 and extended on January 5th, 2026.
The City of Owen Sound is advising residents of the plan regarding excess snow removal in the downtown core. Due to contractor and staffing availability, excess snow removal operations will take place in Owen Sound’s River District area beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14. The work is expected to be completed by early Thursday morning.
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