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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 the Committee of Adjustment hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. has been cancelled.
The City of Owen Sound wishes to inform residents of a significant update to the Ontario Fire Code that is expected to affect many community members. The Ontario government has announced updates to the Ontario Fire Code that will strengthen carbon monoxide (CO) safety in homes and other residential buildings, effective January 1, 2026. These changes expand where CO alarms must be installed to better protect residents from carbon monoxide, an invisible, odourless, and potentially deadly gas.
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 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.
Only essential travel is advised. Travel on municipal roads and sidewalks maintained by the City of Owen Sound requires extra caution during a declared Significant Weather Event. All municipal streets and sidewalks are in a “state of repair” until an end to the significant weather event is announced.
Mayor Ian Boddy has formally tabled his proposed 2026 budget for the City of Owen Sound. This budget was developed in consultation with each Council member, the Director of Corporate Services, and the City Manager. The steps taken in developing this budget were careful and measured, in parallel with the Province of Ontario’s implementation of Strong Mayor powers earlier this year.
'Tis the season for winter holidays, and the City is reminding residents of facility closures and modified hours for some programs and services. Plan ahead so you can spend quality time with family and friends.
The City of Owen Sound will once again host the New Year’s Eve Family Celebration in partnership with the YMCA Bruce Grey Owen Sound at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre on Tuesday, December 31, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated at the door.
The City of Owen Sound proudly recognizes dedicated municipal employees for significant years of service and introduced new Employee Choice Awards this year. These awards recognize staff who go above and beyond to demonstrate the City’s values of Integrity, Creativity, Caring, and Sustainability in their day-to-day work.
Owen Sound Council has approved a lease agreement with the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey (WHSBG) for the lease of the Rice House (located beside the TOM on 1st Avenue West) for a three-year term beginning January 5, 2026. This agreement is exciting for our community and demonstrates how a City asset is helping meet current local housing needs.
WHSBG proposes using the Rice House for the newly developed BIRTCH program described below, covering all costs, including utilities, maintenance, operating expenses, and property insurance. This aligns with Council’s ongoing commitment to support housing and homelessness solutions in Owen Sound, where possible.
Owen Sound’s 2026 Waste Management Calendar is now available online at OwenSound.ca/Waste.
Printed copies are now available at City Hall. More printed copies will be available at the Owen Sound Transit Terminal and the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Library after December 22. Additional pick-up locations will be posted on the Waste Management webpage as they are confirmed.
Calendars are available in east-side only, west-side only, and combined versions. Residents can also search their collection day by home address online.
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