Rockford Water Filters, Owen Sound, ON

In the heart of the 200-hectare Inglis Falls Conservation Area, hidden underground, are the historic Rockford Water Filters. These slow sand filters, constructed in 1910-12, provided potable water to the City of Owen Sound from 1912 through 1969. The cavernous filtration plant and its operations are fascinating local lore unknown to many area residents. You are invited to see and hear for yourself on Thursday, Nov.13, 10am.     Join Grey Sauble Conservation and Grey-Bruce Adventours staff at Inglis Falls for this exclusive 2-hour walking adventure. Cost is $10 per person. Photographers: This is a great opportunity to shoot a unique bit of our heritage!

The Rockford Filters consist of 2 massive concrete boxes, roofed and grass-covered. Each contains natural filtering materials in layers of sand, fine gravel and coarser gravel totaling a depth of 80cm. Water from the Sydenham River was directed into the system, filtered through, and piped to a 5-million gallon reservoir on Owen Sound’s east side. From there it gravity-fed to homes, business and industry. Over 400 men worked to pour concrete and lay pipe during construction.

When the filters were operating, they were cleaned by hand. For 2 full days, 3 men skimmed the dirty sand, 2 men ran wheelbarrows, and 1 man operated the sand washer. The clean sand was spread on a concrete pad to dry. It was then wheelbarrow-fed back into the filter through overhead grates. The cleaning schedule varied depending on water and weather conditions but cleaning was sometimes necessary every 10 days. This labour-intensive process would be very daunting for most of us today.

The Inglis Falls area offers many glimpses into our cultural, natural, and geological past. The tour will include a look at other industries on site, as well as the glacial potholes. We hope you will join us in exploring these special Grey County treasures. 

Post Event: 15 people attended event despite the snow. Everyone learned lots and had fun. Several photographers got to practice with shutter speeds and low light conditions.

Doors Open in June may be your next opportunity to visit this cool bit of Grey County history.

Inglis Falls, Snowy November Day

Glacial Pothole near Inglis Falls

Krista McKee, Grey Sauble Conservation, Provides Intro and Welcome

Part of Sydenham River Disappears into Underground Drainage

Entrance to Filters above Inglis Falls

Massive Underground Water Filter Cavern

Fun with Long Shutter Speeds- Note Flashlight Trail

Overhead Grate Allowed Clean Sand to Be Added to Filterbed

On the Sand