Reduce Water Use and Precautionary Boil Water Advisory Owen Sound – FAQs and Update #1

The City of Owen Sound water system users remain under a precautionary boil water advisory, as issued in the evening of Saturday, March 14. 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. 

Residents and water users are also asked to continue to conserve water use where possible. We want to thank residents for their patience and efforts so far in following the precautionary boil water advisory and reducing water use, those actions are helping support the system while conditions stabilize.

Over the past 24 hours, staff have noted that turbidity levels are improving. The City continues to monitor the water quality closely with increased testing and is working with Grey Bruce Public Health to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. 

The safety of our residents is the number one priority and the City will remain under the precautionary boil water advisory until the water is confirmed to be safe to consume.

The City is committed to providing clear communication on a regular basis. While the boil water advisory continues, the City will post a daily media release at OwenSound.ca/News to keep the community informed. Residents are strongly encouraged to subscribe to City news at OwenSound.ca/Subscribe to receive an email directly with the media release containing new or updated information. 

This update includes reminders and frequently asked questions relating to water use reduction and the boil water advisory (see below).  The City will be creating a page on the City website which will be live Monday March 16 dedicated to this issue.  The frequently asked questions and responses will be updated daily and will also include links to the Grey Bruce Public Health’s public drinking water webpage, which includes Boil Water fact sheets, like this general one. 

Reminders:

• Precautionary boil water advisory is currently in effect for the City of Owen Sound municipal water system.
• Boil water for 1 minute before consuming or use another water source (bottled water).
• This affects all City of Owen Sound houses and buildings, plus some parts of Meaford and Georgian Bluffs, who are tied into the City’s water system.
• Residents are also asked to reduce use of non-essential water consumption.
• This could be shorter or less frequent showers, no half-loads in dishwasher or washing machines, less flushing of toilets, etc.
• The lower demand on the water system will help in remedial efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it necessary to boil all water in the home during an advisory or order?

During boil water advisories, you should boil all water used for drinking, preparing food, beverages, ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth.

Infant formulas should be prepared using boiled tap water at all times. Water for pets should also be boiled or bottled.

It is not necessary to boil tap water used for other household purposes, such as showering, laundry, bathing, or washing dishes. Adults, teens, and older children can wash, bathe, or shower; however, they should avoid swallowing the water. Toddlers and infants should be sponge bathed.

Can I use the water for hand washing?

Since the current boil water advisory has been issued as a precaution and there is no current outbreak of human illness, there is no need for additional hand sanitizing with alcohol-based hand rub. If you use an alcohol-based hand rub, ensure it contains between 60-90% alcohol (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol).

Why is this a 'precautionary' advisory?

Grey Bruce Public Health has advised this 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.
  

What is turbidity?

Turbidity is a measure of how cloudy water is, caused by tiny particles suspended in it rather than the water being clear. These particles can include:

• Dirt or soil
• Silt and clay
• Algae
• Organic material
• Microorganisms

Can I drink tap water if it's filtered?

If the device is designed to improve the taste and odour or chemical quality of the water, such as activated carbon filters, it is still necessary to boil the water.

Drinking water directly from the tap is not recommended and could potentially result in illness. 

Where can I find out more about Boil Water Advisory guidelines? Including for restaurants (food premises), healthcare facilities and the general public

Grey Bruce Public Health Boil Water fact sheets are available online: https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Environment/Safe-Water/Public-Drinking-Water#1807108-precautionary-advisory

General Boil Water Advisory Fact Sheet: https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Portals/0/Topics/WaterSafety/Public_Drinking/BWA_Fact_Sheet.pdf
 

What caused this? Does it have to do with rain and snowmelt last week?

What we experienced was primarily a source water issue. The quality of water coming into the treatment plant had very high turbidity (cloudiness), which makes it much harder to treat efficiently. While the plant itself has continued to operate and is functioning properly, the rate at which water could be safely filtered and treated was challenged by the quality of the incoming water. In simple terms, poorer source water takes longer and more effort to process.

The poor source water conditions were largely driven by warmer temperatures and heavy rainfall over the previous weekend, which increased runoff into the bay. We have seen similar levels of runoff in the past. This time, it happened while ice cover was still on the bay, which likely added to the challenge.

The ice cover made it more difficult to see the extent of the poor quality water, where it was coming from (north or south), and how long it might persist based on wind and current conditions. We believe the ice cover was a significant contributing factor to why these poor water conditions lasted longer than we would typically expect.

Why were residents not texted an emergency alert?

An emergency has not been declared.  This is a precautionary boil water advisory. The City does not have its own independent texting system to reach all residents at once.  Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for emailed news at OwenSound.ca/Subscribe.  Signing up will send City news releases directly to your email inbox.

When will we know it's over?

Residents will be notified when the precautionary boil water advisory notice is lifted via a news release at OwenSound.ca/News. This will occur when the water is confirmed to be safe to consume.

Will the City be giving away bottled water? 

The City is working with the County and Supportive Outreach Services (SOS) to ensure that vulnerable individuals within the community without access to facilities to boil water have access to bottled water. 

How can I stay up to date on information?

Residents are strongly encouraged to subscribe to City news at OwenSound.ca/Subscribe to receive emails as new or updated information is shared.

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca

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