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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.
Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with the City of Owen Sound, has lifted the swim advisory for Kelso Beach at Nawash Park.
The decision was made on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after water samples taken at the beach earlier this week showed bacterial levels had returned to within Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines for swimming/bathing.
Several road closures will take place this Sunday, July 28, 2024, beginning at 7:00 am to accommodate the Owen Sound Triathlon. Delays should be expected; please allow for additional travel time and consider alternate routes of travel where possible.
Motorists travelling in the 300 block of 10th Street East area may experience lane reductions on Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Delays should be expected; please allow for additional travel time and consider an alternate route of travel where possible.
Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with the City of Owen Sound, has posted the beach at Kelso Beach at Nawash Park in Owen Sound as unsafe for swimming after water-sampling results – received Friday afternoon – showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery is excited to offer young artists the chance to immerse themselves in fun, exploration-based studio art programs this summer at the TOM!
There are several ongoing ways for residents to be involved in informing City decisions on service delivery and ensuring that the budget reflects the needs and priorities of our citizens.
Community members are invited to join The TOM on Saturday, July 20, from 1 to 2 p.m. for a free artist talk led by internationally recognized artist Michael Belmore in conjunction with his solo exhibition gawaatebiishin.
The City of Owen Sound has initiated a Stormwater Management Master Plan (SWMMP) to develop a long-term plan for the safe and effective management of stormwater runoff.
Owen Sound residents are reminded of two upcoming events to help facilitate environmentally friendly and responsible ways to get rid of waste, Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Public Works Facility and Goods Exchange Day.
Owen Sound Council has given the green light to continued collaboration between the City of Owen Sound and the Township of Georgian Bluffs, enabling the two municipalities to share Fire Prevention Services jointly. This partnership marks another proactive step toward sharing resources and more efficiently using taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.
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