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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.
Every year on June 23, the City recognizes the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. Flags at all City facilities (excluding City Hall’s community flagpole) are currently lowered to half-mast in honour of this day.
In response to the upcoming warm temperatures, the City of Owen Sound reminds residents that public places throughout the city are available to keep cool.
Please be advised that the previously cancelled June Service Review Implementation Ad-hoc Committee meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the River District will welcome the 2025 Pride Parade and Block Party. Motorists through the River District may experience delays to allow the safe passage of the parade. Businesses will remain accessible during the closures. Parking is available in nearby municipal lots and on-street where permitted.
Please be advised that the Strategic Planning Ad-hoc Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. The revised date will be updated on the City website in the coming days.
Discover Owen Sound’s rich history and plan a day trip around the City to explore heritage sites as part of Doors Open Ontario. This annual program, presented by the Ontario Heritage Trust in partnership with the City of Owen Sound, will take place on Saturday, June 21.
A must-see summer attraction has arrived in downtown Owen Sound! Just in time for the tourism season, a massive LEGO replica of the iconic Chi-Cheemaun ferry is now on display at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery and Owen Sound Visitor Centre — and it's unlike anything you’ve seen before.
The City of Owen Sound and the Township of Georgian Bluffs are proud to congratulate Firefighter Jay Gow of the Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services, along with two members of the Inter-Township Fire Department, on receiving the prestigious Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving.
The City of Owen Sound is thrilled to share that it was successful in its grant application to receive funding for the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre Ice Pad and Arena Board and Glass Replacement project, as announced earlier today by Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers. The project will receive up to $915,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Sport’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.
The third of eight Household Hazardous Waste Day events of 2025 is this Saturday, June 14! The event will be held at the Owen Sound Public Works Facility (1900 20th Street East) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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