Owen Sound residents and other users who rely on the municipal water system will continue to have to boil their water on Monday.
A precautionary boil water advisory was issued by Grey Bruce Public Health and the City of Owen Sound on Saturday night after high levels of turbidity were observed at the Richard H. Neath Water Purification plant. Turbidity is a cloudiness in the water that can interfere with disinfection, a component of water treatment. The cloudiness could be caused by dirt, clay, algae or other organic materials in the water.
"While the precautionary boil water advisory is in place, please bring all water to a rolling boil for one minute before using it for drinking, preparing food or beverages, making ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth," the health unit said in a statement. "This is particularly important for young children, older adults, and people who are immuno-compromised to protect their health."
Residents do not need to boil water used for other household purposes, such as showering, laundry, bathing or washing dishes.
The city is additionally asking people to reduce their water use while the boil water advisory is in place. Areas affected include the entire City of Owen Sound, the village of Leith in Meaford and parts of Georgian Bluffs connected to Owen Sound's 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," the health unit added.
Residents will be notified when the water is deemed safe to drink and the precautionary advisory is lifted.
