Residents in Owen Sound, Ontario, are being told to boil their water before drinking or cooking following an advisory issued on March 14, 2026. The City of Owen Sound put the rule in place after tests showed the water was too cloudy to meet safety standards.
The order also affects people connected to the city water system in the Village of Leith within the Municipality of Meaford and parts of the Township of Georgian Bluffs. Everyone in these areas should bring their water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it to brush teeth, wash fruit, or prepare food.
Officials from Grey Bruce Public Health say the move is a safety step because cloudy water can make it harder for treatment systems to kill germs. While the city confirmed that no harmful bacteria like E. coli have been found in the system, the warning will stay in place until further testing is completed.
The problem was caused by a combination of ongoing equipment upgrades at the water treatment plant and changing water conditions in Georgian Bay. These factors have made it difficult for the plant to clean enough water to keep up with the city’s normal demand while maintaining the required clarity levels.
As of March 16, 2026, water tests are showing signs of improvement, but the advisory remains active until further notice. The city is asking residents to use less water for non-essential tasks to help keep the system running steadily.
