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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 Tom Thomson Art Gallery is thrilled to celebrate the launch of the 2025 Paddle Art & Canoe Mural Auction, now open for online bids, presented by Algonquin Outfitters and the Huntsville Festival of the Arts! Running from November 4 to 25, this biennial project unites artists from across Ontario to transform paddles and canoes into extraordinary works of art.
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.
Owen Sound motorists should be aware of alternating lane closures on 10th Street East, happening between 2nd Avenue East and 3rd Avenue East, on Friday, November 14. These lane closures are required to accommodate necessary work being done by a privately commissioned contractor and are expected to occur between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to avoid peak traffic times.
Owen Sound’s River District welcomes the holiday season with a flurry of festive activities beginning Saturday, November 15. These include Holiday Magic, the 80th annual Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade, the kick-off to the Festival of Northern Lights, and road hockey as part of Hockey Fest 2025. In support of these events, 2nd Avenue East will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking starting at 3 p.m. on November 15.
Please be advised that the Committee of Adjustment hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. has been cancelled.
The December 23 hearing of the Committee of Adjustment has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Please be advised that the River District Board of Management (RDBM) intends to hold a Public Meeting respecting the 2026 River District budget.
Public Meeting:
The public meeting will take place during the regular RDBM meeting as follows:
Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Council Chambers
808 2nd Avenue East
Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H4
Application forms are due by Monday, November 17 at 4:30 p.m. and are available on the City’s website at OwenSound.ca/CommitteeVacancies or at the Service Owen Sound counter in City Hall.
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