FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to first flush diverters and first flush diversion systems, and in particular those for which the volume of water to be captured in a“first flush” is large.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is to be clearly understood that mere reference in this specification to any previous or existing products, devices, apparatus, systems, methods, ways of doing things, practices, publications or indeed to any other information, or to any problems or issues, does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any of those things, whether individually or in any combination, were known or formed part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the field, or that they are admissible prior art.

[0003] In the collection of rainwater from the roof of a building, it is often desirable to divert an initial amount of the water flowing off the roof during a rainfall event away from the tank(s) (or reservoir(s) or the like) in which collected water is stored. This is because, during dry periods between rainfall events, impurities such as animal or bird droppings, dust, grit, pollutants and other airborne material can collect on the roof and in the guttering, and much or all of this can then be flushed from the roof and guttering with the initial flow of water at the start of a rainfall event.

[0004] Devices used for diverting the initial flow of water off the roof in a rainfall event away from the tank(s) (or reservoir(s) or the like) are commonly referred to as first flush diverters or first flush diversion systems. The general operation of a basic/conventional first flush diverter is explained in Australian Patent No. 692835, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Figure 1 in the appended drawings is a copy of Figure 1 from Australian Patent No. 692835. As can be appreciated from Figure 1, at the start of a rainfall event, the initial flow of water off the roof enters the gutter 3 (shown in cross-section) and then runs along the gutter 3 until it reaches an opening in the floor of the gutter 3 leading into piping 2. Ultimately, it is the section of piping labelled 2a in Figure 1 (hereafter the“downpipe” 2a) that leads to the tank (or reservoir or the like) in which collected water is stored. However, where a first flush diverter (e.g. like that shown in Figure 1) is used, the initial flow of water off the roof that occurs at the start of a rainfall event (and which contains the bulk of contaminants washed from the roof and the guttering) does not actually reach downpipe 2a to flow into the tank. Instead, the initial flow of water (containing the contaminants) flows/falls into the fall pipe 4 of the first flush diverter before even reaching the downpipe 2a. The bottom end of the fall pipe 4 has a slow release or controlled-release valve or device or the like (see below), meaning that water entering the top of the fall pipe 4 (at the start of a rainfall event) does not simply flow straight out of the bottom end of the fall pipe 4 at the same rate (at least, not at that time). Consequently, as water flowing out of the gutter 3 and into piping 2 enters the fall pipe 4, the fall pipe 4 begins to fill. The fall pipe 4 also contains/houses a buoyant float 5. Typically, the float 5 will take the form of a buoyant plastic ball (and hence this particular first flush diverter is a species of ball valve). However, the float 5 (both in Figure 1 and also in the present invention) could technically take a range of different shapes, provided it is buoyant and capable of sealing against the valve seat 9 through which water flows as it enters the fall pipe 4. Thus, as the fall pipe 4 fills, the float 5 rises in the fall pipe with the level of the rising water, and this continues until the float 5 meets the valve seat 9 (i.e. due to the volume of water beneath it forcing it upwards against the valve seat 9), thereby largely sealing the top of the fall pipe 4 and mostly preventing more water from entering the fall pipe 4. Thereafter, while the rainfall event continues, water flowing off the roof, into the guttering 3 and along the piping continues over the (now mostly sealed) top of the fall pipe 4 and onward into the downpipe 2a, which leads to the storage tank.

[0005] Still referring to Figure 1, it was mentioned above that the bottom end of the fall pipe 4 has a slow release or controlled-release valve or device, or the like, so that water entering the top of the fall pipe 4 (at the start of a rainfall event) does not simply flow straight out of the bottom end of the fall pipe 4 at the same rate (at least, not at that time). The fall pipe 4 therefore fills up during the initial rainfall at the start of a rainfall event, causing the float 5 to rise and ultimately (mostly) seal the top of the fall pipe 4, as described above. In the first flush diverter in Figure 1, a drip irrigator 12 is connected to a nipple 11 in an endcap 10 attached to the end of the fall pipe 4. The drip irrigator 12 allows for slow release of water from the fall pipe 4, and basically/in summary, because the rate at which water exits the fall pipe 4 through the drip irrigator 12 is much lower/slower than the rate at which water flows into the top of the fall pipe 4 or across the top of the fall pipe 4 during a rainfall event (or a combination of both of these - after the fall pipe 4 has initially filled, a small amount of the water flowing across the top of the valve seat 9 may continue to, or may from time to time, enter the top of the fall pipe 4, between the valve seat 9 and the float 5, as the rainfall event continues, thereby "topping up" the fall pipe if any water happens to have exited through the drip irrigator 12 at the bottom during the rainfall), therefore the presence of the drip irrigator ultimately results in the fall pipe 4 (after it has filled) remaining full during the remainder of the rainfall event and it only begins to really empty following the cessation of the rainfall (whereupon no further water is entering the top of the fall pipe 4 to fill it or top it up).

[0006] In other first flush diverters, other forms of slow or controlled-release valves, devices, etc, may be provided at the bottom of the fall pipe to allow for a controlled or timed release of the water from the fall pipe. It is to be clearly understood that any suitable form of slow release or controlled-release valve, device, or the like, may potentially be used at the bottom of the first flush diverter, and the same is true where the present invention is employed.

[0007] It will next be appreciated that the amount of water (i.e. the volume of the“first flush”) collected by the first flush diverter in Figure 1 is determined by the internal volume of the fall pipe 4. The space or volume inside the fall pipe 4 may therefore be referred to as the first flush diverter’s“collection chamber”. For a given first flush diverter, the volume of the collection chamber, or more specifically the volume that the collection chamber is required to have (i.e. in order to ensure that it captures a sufficient quantity of water during the initial flow at the beginning of a rainfall event), varies according to a number of factors. The first, and main, factor is the size of the roof. However, other factors, such as the presence or absence of nearby overhanging vegetation, the level of airborne pollution in the environment, etc, can also have an effect. Generally, the larger the area of the roof, the greater the total amount of dust, pollutants and other contaminants that may collect on the roof during dry spells between periods of rainfall. As a general guide, in areas where only low or minimal amounts of pollution collect on the roof (e.g. in open areas with no foliage overhanging the roof, with no bird or animal droppings and in a generally clean-air environment), the amount of water that should be diverted in a“first flush” to ensure that the majority of pollutants are captured in the first flush system and do not enter the storage tank is about 0.5 litres per square metre (0.5L/m ² ) of roof area. However, in areas with higher or substantial pollution levels, overhanging foliage, large amounts of wildlife, etc, the amount of water to be captured in a“first flush” may need to be up to around 2 litres per square metre (2.0L/m ² ) of roof area. In any case, generally, the greater the volume of water captured in a "first flush" (i.e. the greater the volume of the collection chamber of the first flush diverter), the more pollutants are likely to be diverted and thereby prevented from entering the water storage tank/reservoir, and hence the greater the quality of the water collected in the tank/reservoir. However, any water which is diverted away from the

tank/reservoir in a "first flush" captured by a first flush diverter consequently does not enter the storage tank at all. Therefore, there is often a trade-off between quantity and quality of water to be collected and stored in the tank.

[0008] As may be appreciated from Figure 1, in traditional first flush diverters, the fall pipe, and hence the collection chamber inside the fall pipe, is formed from a simple straight piece of piping, often conventional 100 mm PVC pipe. Where conventional 100 mm PVC pipe is used, the volume of the collection chamber inside the fall pipe is around 9 L per lineal metre (9L/m) of pipe. One consequence of this is that, depending on the size of the roof, the fall pipe, which is typically mounted to an outside wall of the house or building, may need to extend for many metres up the outside of the wall of the house/building in order to provide a sufficient collection volume for the size of the roof. By way of example, consider a modest dwelling or house having a roof with an area of approximately 180 m ² . Even if it is assumed that this dwelling is located in an area without significant overhanging vegetation, and with low levels of airborne pollutants, etc, such that capturing only 0.5L/m ² in the first flush system is sufficient to achieve acceptable collected water quality, nevertheless in order to achieve this water quality there is a need to collect 90 L of water in the initial "first flush" at the beginning of a rainfall event. If the fall pipe (and hence the collection chamber) of this first flush diverter is created using conventional 100 mm PVC pipe (as is conventional), the length of the fall pipe required to achieve this will be 10 m. However, if the dwelling is only a single story dwelling built on generally flat ground (as is very common), it is unlikely that there will be a wall (or any location on the dwelling) where the vertical distance between the roof guttering and the ground is even close to 10 m in height. It will therefore be appreciated that there is often a problem that the required minimum collection volume of the first flush diverter means that the required length of fall pipe (if the fall pipe is made from conventional 100 mm PVC pipe) is longer than can be conveniently installed or accommodated on an exterior wall of the dwelling/building.

[0009] One solution to the above problem that has previously been employed is to use larger- diameter PVC pipe to create the first flush diverter fall pipe, and hence the collection chamber. Sometimes, larger 300 mm PVC pipe is used for this purpose. Where this is done, cone-like plumbing connectors, which are 300 mm on one end and 100 mm on the other end, are used for connecting the ends of this larger-diameter fall pipe into the other piping, which is generally still made from 100 mm PVC pipe. Where this larger 300 mm PVC pipe is used, the volume of the collection chamber formed inside the pipe is around 72 litres per lineal metre (72L/m) of pipe. Consequently, referring again to the above example of a modest dwelling or house with a roof area of 180 m ² , and assuming again that the dwelling is in an area where collecting only 0.5L/m ² (i.e. collecting only 90L) is sufficient to achieve acceptable water quality, in order for this volume of water be collected in the collection chamber of a fall pipe made from 300 mm PVC pipe, the length of the pipe need only be 1.25 m. This can be much more easily accommodated on an exterior wall of the dwelling.

[0010] However, there are also a number of challenges associated with the use of larger 300 mm PVC pipe for the creation of the fall pipe (and collection chamber) of a first flush diverter. For one thing, 300 mm PVC pipe is normally only produced and sold for civil engineering and major construction purposes, and therefore normally only in large quantities/lengths, so individuals wanting to use such pipe to create the fall pipe/collection chamber for a first flush diverter system may simply be unable to buy the required (small) quantities or a single length of the pipe. Also, even if the required small quantity of the 300 mm PVC pipe can be bought or sourced, it is typically then necessary to cut the pipe to the correct length to achieve the necessary collection volume (for the required balance between achieving the minimum necessary collection volume required for adequate water quality but also maximising the quantity of water collected in the tank/reservoir). However, cutting large diameter PVC pipe can be very difficult in practice, not least because it is large, thick and heavy, but also round and therefore cumbersome to hold and secure while cutting. Typically cutting must be done by hand using a hand saw, but this often leads to the cut being performed slightly at an angle (i.e. not perfectly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe), or not straight all the way across, or with rough edges, or all or a combination of these, and this can then lead to significant difficulties in attaching other plumbing fittings to the end(s) of the pipe when constructing the first flush diverter (because e.g. an imperfect cut on the pipe may not easily fit into the mating plumbing fitting, and it may also affect the efficacy of a glue seal between the two).

[0011] It is thought that it may be desirable if one or more of the problems or difficulties discussed above could be alleviated or at least reduced to some extent. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In one form, although not necessarily the only or the broadest form, the invention resides in a manifold device for use in creating a containment volume of a first flush diversion system, the manifold device having a first portion which has one or more openings, and a second portion which is operable to be connected to two or more collection pipes or conduits, wherein the collection pipes or conduits can be used to form at least part of the containment volume.

[0013] The first portion and the second portion of the manifold device may be formed separately from one another and then joined or connected together to form the manifold device. However, no limitation is to be implied from this and the manifold device could also be formed as a single (or unitary or one-piece) part (e.g. by blow moulding or the like) and the first and second portions may be different portions of that single part. In a further alternative, the manifold device could be formed from multiple, separately-formed parts that are then joined or connected together to form the manifold device, and the first portion may be part of one, or two, or more of these parts when the parts are assembled to form the manifold device, and the second portion may also be part of one, or two, or more of these parts when the parts are assembled to form the manifold device.

[0014] In some embodiments, one or more of the openings in the first portion may be operable to be connected to a pipe or conduit or other plumbing fitting (such as a T piece). In such embodiments, the pipe or other plumbing fitting or conduit to which one or more of the openings in the first portion is/are operable to be connected may be, or may include, a pipe section or portion formed from conventional pipe, such as e.g. conventional four inch or 100 mm diameter PVC pipe.

[0015] The two or more collection pipes or conduits to which the second portion of the manifold device is operable to be connected may be formed from (or at least each may include a section or portion formed from) conventional pipe, such as e.g. conventional four inch or 100 mm diameter PVC pipe.

[0016] In some particular embodiments, the first portion of the manifold device may have a single cylindrical opening operable to be connected to a pipe or conduit or other plumbing fitting. There may also be embodiments in which the second portion of the manifold has a single cylindrical opening for each one of the two or more collection pipes or conduits to which it is operable to connect. In either of both of these situations, in one or more of the single cylindrical openings, an inner portion thereof may have an internal diameter which is smaller than an outer portion thereof, such that said opening(s) can receive therein pipes or conduits of external (outer) diameters corresponding to either the internal diameter of the outer portion or the inner portion. Furthermore, it may be that in each of the single cylindrical openings, an inner portion thereof has an internal diameter which is smaller than an outer portion thereof, such that the said openings can receive therein pipes or conduits of external (outer) diameters corresponding to the internal diameter of either the outer portion or the inner portion. Each single cylindrical opening may include means or features to prevent over-insertion of a pipe or conduit therein. The single cylindrical opening in the first portion of the manifold device may include a ridge or other feature(s) with which a valve seat (e.g. of the kind which is engageable and sealable by a ball-like float) can engage when installed in the said cylindrical opening.

[0017] In certain particular embodiments, the second portion of the manifold device may be operable to be connected to six collection pipes or conduits.

[0018] There may be a volume or space inside the manifold device between the one or more openings in the first portion and where the two or more collection pipes or conduits connect to the second portion.

[0019] In another form, although again not necessarily the only or the broadest form, the invention resides in a first flush diversion system comprising

a first manifold device, being a manifold device as described above,

a second manifold device, also being a manifold as described above, wherein the second manifold device is positioned (at least slightly) lower than the first manifold device when the first flush diversion system is in use;

two or more collection pipes connected to, and extending between, the second portions of the respective first and second manifold devices to form (at least part of) a containment volume of the first flush diversion system;

a slow or controlled-release device or mechanism connected to the first portion of the second manifold device; and

one or more valve floats operable to close the or each opening in the first portion of the first manifold device when the containment volume of the first flush diversion system is full. [0020] The first flushed diversion system above may be wall-mounted. If so, a pair of wall mounting brackets may be provided, wherein, in use, each wall mounting bracket extends around a portion of one of the manifold devices and attaches to the wall to thereby secure the manifold devices to the wall.

[0021] The first flushed diversion system above may include a stand extending between a portion of the first flush diversion system and the ground and operable to support at least a portion of the weight of the first flush diversion system.

[0022] Alternatively, the first flush diversion system may be operable to be installed or buried beneath the ground.

[0023] The first flush diversion system may include a valve seat which is installed in the single cylindrical opening in the first manifold device, and the first flush diversion system may also include a single ball float which engages with the valve seat when the containment volume of the first flush diversion system is full. The first flush diversion system may also include a ball cage mounted to or near the valve seat, wherein the ball float is located inside the ball cage, and the ball cage permits movement of the ball float into and out of engagement with the valve seat but also contains the ball float in the vicinity of the valve seat.

[0024] The slow or controlled-release device or mechanism connected to the first portion of the second manifold device may comprise an electronically controllable release assembly for controlling the timing and/or duration of release(s)/purge(s) of water from the containment volume of the first flushed aversion system.

[0025] In a further form, although again not necessarily the only or the broadest form, the invention resides in a method for creating a first flush diversion system, comprising providing a first manifold device, being a manifold device as described above, providing a second manifold device, being a manifold device as described above, providing two or more collection pipes,

providing one or more valve floats and installing the or each float in the first manifold device,

connecting the two or more collection pipes so that each extends between the second portions of the respective first and second manifold devices to form a containment volume of the first flush diversion system, wherein the second manifold device is positioned (at least slightly) lower than the first manifold device when the first flush diversion system is in use and the one or more floats close the one or more openings in the first portion of the first manifold device when the containment volume is full; and

providing a slow or controlled-release device or mechanism and connecting this to the opening(s) in the first portion of the second manifold device.

[0026] Connecting the two or more collection pipes so that each extends between the second portions of the respective first and second manifold devices may involve using one or more alignment brackets to help hold the collection pipes in position relative to one another.

[0027] In another form, although again not necessarily the only or the broadest form, the invention resides in a valve assembly for use in a first flush diversion system, the valve assembly comprising a ball float, a valve seat and a ball cage, wherein the valve seat is operable to be installed in an upper opening of a collection chamber or containment volume of the first flush diversion system, the ball float is operable in the use of the valve assembly to engage and seal against the valve seat when the collection chamber or containment volume is full, the ball cage is mounted to or near the valve seat, the ball float is located inside the ball cage, and the ball cage permits movement of the ball float into and out of engagement with the valve seat but also contains the ball float in the vicinity of the valve seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Preferred features, aspects and variations of the invention and its various embodiments may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting, in any way, the scope in the Summary of the Invention above. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a basic/conventional first flush diverter of the type described in Australian Patent No. 692835. In fact, Figure 1 is a reproduction of Figure 1 from Australian Patent No. 692835.

[0030] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a wall-mounted first flush diversion system in which one or more possible embodiments of the present invention are used. By“wall-mounted” here it is meant that the system is connected only to (and its weight is supported mostly, if not entirely, by its fixation to) a wall or post or other structure.

[0031] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the wall-mounted first flush diversion system in Figure 2.

[0032] Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 are front, side and rear views, respectively, of the wall- mounted first flush diversion system in Figure 2.

[0033] Figure 7 (i) and (ii) both show a mounting bracket of the type used for attaching the first flush diversion system in Figure 2 (and also the first flush diversion system in Figure 30) to a wall or post or other support structure.

[0034] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a pipe support/alignment bracket used for holding the parallel sections of pipe in the first flush diversion system in Figure 2 (and also the first flush diversion systems in Figure 30 and Figure 34) in position relative to one another.

[0035] Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the manifold component used in one particular embodiment of the present invention described herein.

[0036] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the manifold component in Figure 9 from underneath.

[0037] Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14 and Figure 15 are front, rear, side, bottom and top views, respectively, of the manifold component in Figure 9.

[0038] Figure 16 is similar to Figure 15 in that it is a top view of the manifold component; however Figure 16 differs in that it also shows a ball cage and valve seat installed on the manifold component.

[0039] Figure 17 is similar to Figure 16 in that it is, again, a top view of the manifold component with the ball cage and valve seat installed; however Figure 17 differs in that it also shows a float/bail captive in the ball cage, beneath the valve seat.

[0040] Figure 18 is similar to Figure 9 in that it is a top perspective view of the manifold component; however in Figure 18 the first (in this view upper) portion of the manifold component is represented as transparent so the shape of certain of the manifold’s internal portions can be seen.

[0041] In Figure 19 and Figure 20 neither of the first (Figure 19) and second (Figure 20) portions of the manifold component are represented as transparent (i.e. they are both represented as a“solid”), but these two figures show these respective components separated from one another. Note that these two components are initially formed separately from one another as suggested by Figure 19 and Figure 20; however they are then connected together to form a single manifold component, as shown in Figure 9 etc.

[0042] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the ball cage assembly, which includes the ball cage and the valve seat. This Figure also shows the valve ball/float captive (as it is in use) in the ball cage beneath the valve seat.

[0043] Figure 22 is a side view of the ball cage assembly (including the valve ball/float) in Figure 21.

[0044] Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view of the ball cage assembly in Figure 21.

[0045] Figure 24 is a top view of the ball cage assembly (including the valve ball/float) in Figure 21.

[0046] Figure 25 is similar to Figure 24 in that it is a top view of the ball cage assembly;

however in this Figure the valve ball/float is omitted so that the crossed portions at the bottom of the ball cage are visible. Note that Figure 25 therefore shows the ball cage assembly in the form that it appears in Figure 16 (i.e. with the valve ball/float omitted), whereas Figure 24 shows the ball cage assembly in the form that it appears in Figure 17 (with the valve ball/float shown).

[0047] Figure 26 and Figure 27 are perspective and front views, respectively, of the controller used for controlling release of water from the first flush diversion system and also the parts and fittings used to connect the controller to the first flush diversion system’s lower manifold.

[0048] Figure 28 is a partially exploded perspective view of the first flush diversion system illustrating its overall manner of assembly. [0049] Figure 29 is a partially cross-sectional view of the first flush diversion system taken in the plane marked 29-29 in Figure 5.

[0050] Figure 30, Figure 31, Figure 32 and Figure 33 are perspective, front, side and rear views, respectively, of a first flush diversion system in which one or more embodiments of the present invention are used. The first flush diversion system in these Figures is mostly the same as the first flush diversion system in Figure 2 to Figure 6; however whereas the first flush diversion system in Figure 2 to Figure 6 is wall-mounted, the first flush diversion system in Figure 30 to Figure 33 is mounted on a stand, i.e. it is stand-mounted. By“stand-mounted” here it is meant that the system sits on a stand so that the majority of its weight is borne by the stand. The stand may in turn rest on the ground or on some other pedestal or support. Whilst the majority of the weight of this stand-mounted system is borne by the stand, the system may also be (and it is in this case) also attached at its upper end to a wall or post or the like for stability.

[0051] Figure 34 and Figure 35 are side and perspective views, respectively, of first flush diversion system in which one or more embodiments of the present invention are used. The first flush diversion system in these Figures is, again, mostly the same as the first flush diversion system in Figure 2 to Figure 6; however the first flush diversion system in Figure 34 and Figure 35 is for“horizontal” installation. Note that the term“horizontal” is used here to differentiate the orientation in which this system is installed from the generally (or much more) vertical orientations of the systems in Figure 2 and Figure 30. However, it is important to note that use of the word“horizontal” is not intended to, and it does not, imply that this system is installed perfectly horizontally. On the contrary, it is important for the orientation in which this system is installed to have slight slope or fall (sloping down from the upper end to the lower end, as shown in these Figures) to help ensure proper operation of the valve ball/float to engage with the valve seat and seal the system after the required first flush volume has been collected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] As mentioned above, Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a wall-mounted first flush diversion system 100. Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 are rear perspective, front, side and rear views, respectively, of the same wall-mounted first flush diversion system 100. As depicted in these Figures, the main components that make up this first flush diversion system 100 are: a pair of manifolds 200, namely an upper manifold and a lower manifold. Note that, in the particular first flush diversion system 100 depicted (and the same applies for the systems depicted in Figure 30 through Figure 35 as well), the upper and lower manifolds are identical to each other and therefore both may be indicated by the same reference numeral 200. However, for ease of reference, where it is necessary to distinguish between the upper and lower manifolds, the upper manifold will be referred to as manifold 200' and the lower manifold will be referred to as manifold 200". In other first flush diversion systems, though, or other embodiments of the invention, the design and configuration of the upper manifold may be different to that of the lower manifold.

an upper linking pipe 101, the lower end of which inserts into and is sealingly connected in an opening in the upper-facing side (first portion) of the upper manifold 200', and the upper end of which connects into piping running between the roof guttering and the water storage collection tank/reservoir (like e.g. the piping 2 depicted in Figure 1). Note that, whilst the first flush diversion system 100 depicted in Figure 2 through Figure 6 (and also in Figure 30 through Figure 33) includes an upper link pipe 101, the use of such an upper link pipe is by no means essential to the invention. Basically, the purpose of the upper link pipe is simply to extend the vertical distance between the piping (which runs from the roof guttering to the water storage collection tank/reservoir) and the top of the upper manifold 200'. However, if this vertical distance is short, the upper link pipe 101 could be much shorter than shown, or the upper manifold 200' could potentially connect to the said piping above (which runs from the roof guttering to the water storage collection tank/reservoir) by way of a simple T-piece, similar to the way the fall pipe 4 connects to that piping in the conventional first flush diverter shown in Figure 1.

a number of collection pipes 102 each of which is, at its upper end, inserted into and sealingly connected in one of the openings in the lower-facing side (second portion) of the upper manifold 200', and the lower ends of the collection pipes 102 are inserted into and sealingly connected in respective openings in the upper-facing side (second portion) of the lower manifold 200". Note that, in the particular first flush diversion systems depicted in the Figures of this specification, the manifolds 200 are all configured to receive six collection pipes 102, and there are consequently six collection pipes 102 used to form the collection chamber (containment volume) of the first flush diversion system. However, it will be readily appreciated that, in other embodiments of the invention, the upper and lower manifolds, or the manifold parts/components used to create the upper and lower manifolds (whether the upper and lower manifolds are the same as each other or different) could be configured to receive a different number of collection pipes 102 (other than six), and in such cases the number of collection pipes 102 extending between the upper and lower manifolds to form the collection chamber of the first flush diversion system would be different (not six). It is also possible that one or more of the openings in the second portion of one or both manifolds (as required) could be closed or sealed off rather than receiving a collection pipe, and this may allow a first flush containment volume to be created using a different number of collection pipes than the maximum number of collection pipes that the manifold(s) are designed to receive. By way of example, in the Figures, the upper manifold 200' and the lower manifold 200" are the same and both are able to receive six collection pipes. However, if it were desired to create a first flush collection chamber using, say, four slightly longer collection pipes 102 (rather than six slightly shorter collection pipes having the same collective internal volume), or in any case if only four of the collection pipes of a particular length are required to create the desired volume, this could potentially be achieved by sealing off two of the openings in the upper manifold 200' and also sealing off the corresponding two openings in the lower manifold 200”, so that the four collection pipes 102 extend between the other openings in the upper and lower manifold's second portions.

a water release assembly 300 which (in this embodiment) includes a valve, which is controlled by an associated electronically controllable timer, for controlling the release of water captured in the collection chamber (namely the containment volume formed by the collection pipes 102 etc) during the "first flush" at the beginning of a rainfall event. It is important to note, however, that, whilst embodiments of the invention are described which operate using an electronically controllable water release assembly 300, nevertheless this is not crucial to the invention and any means for achieving slow release of water from the first flush diversion collection chamber could potentially be used.

a ball (float) and cage assembly 400, as depicted in Figure 21 to Figure 25 but not visible in Figure 2 through Figure 6. [0053] The collection pipes 102, and also the upper link pipe 101, can be (and in this embodiment they are) made from conventional 100 mm PVC pipe. Note that conventional 100 mm PVC pipe, despite being known and referred to as such, actually has an outer diameter of 110 mm. More importantly, note that the exact diameter of the pipes used in the present invention to form the collection pipes 102 etc is not critical, and the invention is by no means limited to the use of 100 mm PVC pipe specifically. Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, pipes of diameters other than exactly 110 mm (and pipes made of materials other than PVC) could potentially be used as well. However, it is important that the pipes used should have a diameter which is considerably less than, say, the large diameter 300 mm pipes referred to above, which create a number of difficulties. Therefore, the diameter of the pipes used should be around or roughly 110 mm (somewhat larger or somewhat smaller may also be fine), but not drastically different to this. Nevertheless, because conventional 100 mm PVC pipe is extremely common and widely used for plumbing purposes, further explanations will be given (mostly) with reference to this particular size and material of conventional pipe. But, for the reasons that have just been mentioned, no limitation is to be implied as to the exact diameter(s) that the pipe should have.

[0054] The total volume formed by the space inside all of the parallel collection pipes 102 together (plus also the relevant spaces within the manifolds - see below), which constitutes the collection chamber/containment volume, is much greater (in the embodiments depicted it is at least six times greater) than the volume of a single section of conventional 100 mm PVC pipe of the same length as each collection pipe 102. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can enable a first flush diversion system (like e.g. the first flush diversion system 100 depicted in these Figures) with a large collection volume, but with a comparatively short length, to be created with much greater ease than would previously have been possible (e.g. using larger 300 mm PVC pipe or the like). For instance, many of the challenges described in the Background section above associated with using larger-diameter (e.g. 300 mm PVC) pipe to create the first flush collection chamber/containment volume can be avoided.

[0055] The overall operation of the first flush diversion system 100 is mostly similar to that of a conventional first flush diversion system e.g. like the one depicted in Figure 1. That is, at the start of a rainfall event, the initial flow of water off the roof (not shown) enters the guttering (not shown) of the roof and it then runs along the guttering until it reaches an opening (not shown) in the floor of the guttering leading to intermediate piping that in turn connects to the downpipe (not shown). Hence, the intermediate piping, and the downpipe, together lead from the guttering to the tank (not shown) in which water is to be stored. However, the upper link pipe 101 (if present) joins to the intermediate piping at a location in between the outlet of the guttering and the downpipe. (In other words, the upper link pipe 101 (or T-piece if a T-piece is used instead) joins into the intermediate piping in a similar manner to the way in which the fall pipe 4 joins to the pipe 2 in Figure 1.) Therefore, the initial flow of water off the roof that occurs at the start of a rainfall event (and which contains the bulk of contaminants washed from the roof and the guttering) does not reach the downpipe to flow directly into the tank. Instead, the initial flow of water (containing the contaminants) flows/falls into the upper link pipe 101. The bottom end of the upper link pipe 101 connects into the (first portion of) upper manifold 200'. The internal volumes of the multiple (in this case six) hollow collection pipes 102, which extend between the upper manifold 200' and the lower manifold 200", along with part of the internal volume of each of the manifolds 200 themselves, forms a collection chamber/containment volume for receiving the "first flush" of water. Hence, the initial "first flush" of water off the roof that occurs at the start of a rainfall event flows/falls initially into the upper link pipe 101 and then down through the upper manifold 200' to begin filling the collection chamber formed by the collective internal volumes of the collection pipes 102 and the manifolds 200.

[0056] By way of further explanation, water which enters the upper manifold 200' from the upper link pipe 101 will generally then mostly flow down through the single collection pipe 102 which is (in this embodiment) located directly beneath the upper link pipe 101, although some of the water entering the manifold 200’ may also flow or splash across and then continue down one or more of the other collection pipes 102. In any case, as shown more clearly in the cross sectional view in Figure 29 (in which the cross-section is taken in the plane marked 29-29 in Figure 5), in the lower manifold 200" (and it is the same in the upper manifold 200' too) there is an open space 203 within the manifold, beyond the ends of the collection pipes 102, which permits water to flow freely beneath the ends of the collection pipes 102. Consequently, regardless of which of the collection pipes 102 the water initially flows down after entering the collection chamber from the upper link pipe 101, upon reaching the bottom of the lower manifold 200" (and given that the valve in the release assembly 300 should be closed/sealed during a rainfall event to allow the first flush of water to be captured), the water will consequently initially fill the volume 203 within the lower manifold 200", which is beyond the ends of the collection pipes 102 (and also the volume (if any) between the manifold 200" and the top of the release assembly 300). And after that/those volume(s) below the collection pipes 102 is/are filled, with continued in-flow of "first flush" water, the water will begin to fill up into all of the collection pipes 102, and each of the collection pipes 102 will fill effectively equally, at the same rate. This will continue until the level of the water has entirely filled the collection pipes 102 and also the internal volume (the space/volume 203) inside the upper manifold 200' above the top ends of the collection pipes 102. Once the water level reaches this height, a float ball (which is depicted in Figure 21 to Figure 25 and discussed further below) will be floated up into sealing engagement with a valve seat which is located inside the single pipe connection portion 201 on the (first portion of the) upper manifold 200', just below where the upper link pipe 101 is received into the top of the same connecting portion 201. Accordingly, like in the conventional first flush diverter described with reference to Figure 1, this buoyancy-driven contact between the float ball and the valve seat causes the opening in the top of the collection chamber (beneath the valve seat which is engaged by the ball float) to become sealed. After this, water will continue filling within the upper link pipe 101 (or T-piece) until the upper link pipe 101 (or T-piece) too is full, and thereafter water which flows out of the roof guttering and into the intermediate piping will flow directly across the top of the upper link pipe 101 and into the downpipe before continuing on to the tank.

[0057] The release assembly 300 includes a valve, controlled by an electronically controllable timer, for controlling the release of water from the collection chamber. The operation of the release assembly 300 will be discussed further below.

[0058] Figure 7(i) depicts one possible form of a mounting bracket 105 which can be used for attaching the first flush diversion system 100 in Figure 2 (and also the first flush diversion system in Figure 30) to a wall or post or other support structure. As shown in Figure 7(i), the mounting bracket 105 is essentially in the shape of the Greek capital letter "omega" (i.e. it is effectively“W” shaped) when viewed from above. Hence, the bracket has a main circular portion 106 which is not quite a closed circle - i.e. there are two ends of the circular portion 106 which do not quite meet - and a flat tab 107 is formed on each of the two said non-meeting ends of the circular portion 106. The two tabs 107 are coplanar with one another, and the plane of the tabs 107 is parallel to the principal/central axis extending through the centre of the circular portion 106. The circular portion 106 is sized (i.e. it has a diameter) to fit around the single pipe connection fitting portion 201 extending from one side of a manifold 200. The tabs 107 also have a number of holes formed therein, which are used for receiving fasteners. Hence, the way in which the mounting bracket 105 is used is that, one of the mounting brackets 105 is installed around the single pipe connection fitting portion 201 on each of the manifolds 200’ and 200” (hence there are two brackets 105 used for securing the system 100 in place), and once the first flush diversion system 100 has been assembled, and when it is being finally installed on the wall, the system 100 is positioned correctly on the wall and fasteners are then inserted through the holes in the tabs 107 and into the wall to thereby secure the system 100 to the wall. The way in which the mounting bracket 105 is used will be readily appreciated from Figure 2 to Figure 6. The mounting bracket l05a shown in Figure 7(ii) operates in the same way. The only real difference between the bracket 105 in Figure 7(i) and the bracket 105a in Figure 7(ii) is that the mounting bracket 105a in Figure 7(ii) is made from plastic (like the other parts such as the manifolds, the various pipes, etc), whereas the bracket 105 in Figure 7(i) is made from metal, and this accounts for the various apparent design differences between the brackets 105 and l05a. The purpose and function of the brackets 105 and l05a are the same. The designs of the brackets 105 and l05a are given as examples; however it will be appreciated that a range of other bracket designs could be used, including brackets which fully encircle the pipe connection fitting portion 201 on the manifold and also being securable to the wall.

[0059] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a pipe support/alignment bracket 130. The pipe support/alignment bracket 130 is also visible in Figure 2 to Figure 6, and as may be inferred from these Figures, one of the purposes of the bracket 130 is to help hold the collection pipes 102 in position relative to one another. To better understand the role the pipe supports/alignment bracket 130 can play in this regard, it is useful to consider the general process by which the first flush diversion system 100 is assembled. Referring to Figure 28, it can be seen that one possible way in which the system 100 could initially be assembled is to first connect each of the collection pipes 102 to the respective connection points on (the second portion of) one of the manifolds 200. In Figure 28, it is the lower manifold 200" to which the collection pipes 102 have been connected first; however it could equally have been the upper manifold 200'.

However, once the collection pipes 102 have been connected to one of the manifolds, it can then be difficult (due e.g. to the flexibility of the plastic material from the which the pipes 102 themselves are made, and due also to the flexibility of the plastic material from which the manifold to which those pipes are connected to is made) to hold all of the pipes correctly in position in order to insert them into the receiving openings/connection points in the (second portion of the) second manifold. The longer the collection pipes 102, the greater the potential difficulty in this regard, because the more they may flex or move relative to one another before being connected to the second of the manifolds. Hence, the function of the pipe support/alignment bracket 130 will now be more readily understood. That is, it helps to hold the collection pipes 102 in place relative to one another, which is particularly important when connecting the pipes to the second of the manifold (a task which would be made considerably more difficult without a bracket like bracket 130 to hold the collection pipes 102 in position relative to one another). It should be noted that, in situations where the collection pipes 102 are particularly long, there may be a need to use multiple of the brackets 130 at spaced distances along the pipes to properly hold the pipes in position relative to one another. Typically, if the length of the collection pipes 102 is around 1 m or less (like in the Figures), a single bracket 130 should be sufficient. However, where the length of the pipes is several metres, several of the brackets may be required at spaced distances along the collection pipes.

[0060] The brackets 130 can also serve an additional purpose even after both of the manifolds have been installed on the ends of the collection pipes (and indeed after the first flush diversion system has been assembled completely), and this is particularly so in embodiments like those depicted in Figure 34 and Figure 35 where the first flush diversion system (or at least the collection pipes and manifolds thereof) are buried beneath the ground. In these "underground" scenarios, the collection pipes 102 will be oriented so that they effectively "lie on their side" at only a slight angle of inclination, as shown in Figure 34 and Figure 35, rather than being oriented vertically as in the other "above-ground" installations depicted in other Figures. In scenarios where the first flush diversion system (or at least the collection pipes and manifolds thereof) are buried beneath the ground, a pit or trench will typically first be dug, into which at least the collection pipes and manifolds of the first flush diversion system is then placed, and thereafter soil, gravel and the like will typically be poured back over on top of the collection pipes in order to fill in the pit/trench and bury the diverter therein. In this kind of installation, the brackets 130 can play an important role in helping to maintain the separation (and the correct relative positioning) of the pipes 102 (and to help support them and prevent them from bending or cracking etc) once there is a weight of soil and gravel heaped on top of them, and as this compacts.

[0061] The design of the manifold (or manifold component) 200, which is used to create the upper manifold 200' and the lower manifold 200" in the present embodiments, will now be described. [0062] Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14 and Figure 15 are perspective upper, perspective lower, front, rear, side, underside and top views, respectively, of the manifold 200. Figure 16 is similar to Figure 15 in that it is a top view of the manifold;

however Figure 16 also shows the ball cage 410 and valve seat 490 installed in the single pipe connection portion 201. Figure 17 is similar to Figure 16 in that it is, again, a top view of the manifold with the ball cage 410 and valve seat 490 installed; however Figure 17 also shows the float/ball 405 captive in the ball cage 410, beneath the valve seat 490 (the ball float 405 is omitted in Figure 16 so that the cage 490 can be seen).

[0063] Turning to Figure 18, Figure 19 and Figure 20, these show that the manifold 200 is itself made up of two separate parts, namely a first portion 210 and a second portion 260. Figure 19 and Figure 20 show these respective portions/components separated from one another. Note that, in this embodiment, the first portion 210 and second portion 260 are initially formed separately from one another, as suggested by Figure 19 and Figure 20. However they are then connected together to form a single manifold component 200, as shown in Figure 9 etc. Figure 18 is similar to Figure 9 in that it is a top perspective view of the manifold; however in Figure 18, the first portion 210 is represented as transparent so the shape of certain of the manifold’s internal parts and portions can be seen.

[0064] From Figure 19 it can be seen that the first portion 210 is in the nature of (and it might perhaps be described as) a lid of the manifold 200. That is (at least in the orientation shown in Figure 19 and Figure 20) the first portion 210 is placed on top of the second portion 260 to generally cover the top side of the second portion 260 and thereby define the space/volume 203 inside the manifold 200. The first portion 210 includes a cover 212 which effectively covers most of the inside of the second portion 260 when the first portion 210 and second portion 260 are joined. (Note that it is the inside of the cover 212 which is visible in Figure 19.) The single connection portion 201 (which receives the upper link pipe lOlor T-piece) is formed in (and it extends through) the cover 212 in the first portion 210. On the lower/underside of the first portion 210, as shown in Figure 19, there is also a perimeter wall 214 which extends downwards (in the orientation shown) from the outer perimeter of the cover 212. The shape of the outer perimeter wall 214 on the first portion 210 matches the shape of a corresponding outer perimeter wall 264 of the second portion 260, so that those two respective perimeter walls 214 and 264 join seamlessly (as shown in the other Figures depicting the manifold 200) when the first portion 210 and the second portion 260 are joined. [0065] Referring now to the second portion 260 shown in Figure 20, it can be seen that, in addition to the outer perimeter wall 264, the second portion 260 also includes a floor 262 and a number of (in this embodiment six) collection pipe connection (or receiving) points 270. Each of the collection pipe connection points 270 is formed as a cylinder which opens through, and also extends downward from, the floor 262. The internal diameter at the outer end of each of the collection pipe connection points 270 (and also the internal diameter at the outer end of the singular connection portion 201 on the first portion 210) is actually sized to receive a conventional 4 inch PVC pipe therein (conventional four- inch PVC pipe has an outer pipe diameter of about 114 mm). In this embodiment, the six collection pipe connection points 270 are arranged in a 2 x 3 arrangement (i.e. in two parallel rows of three). It will be noted that, in other embodiments, other arrangements are possible. For example, for other embodiments operable with six collection pipes, the second portion 260 could be configured so that the collection pipe connection points 270 are be arranged in a single line or row of six, rather than in a 2 x 3 arrangement. Thus, embodiments in which the manifold is operable with different numbers of collection pipes, and arranged in a variety of different geometric arrangements, are possible. In any case, returning to the particular embodiment shown, it will be appreciated that when the first portion 210 is joined to the second portion 260 to form the manifold 200, the singular connection portion 201 on the first portion 210 becomes aligned (coaxial) with one of the collection pipe connection points 270 which is in the middle of one of the two rows of the collection pipe connection points 270.

[0066] Continuing to refer to Figure 19 and Figure 20, it can also be seen from these figures that the first portion 210 includes a number of alignment tabs 218 formed on the inside of the perimeter wall 214. These alignment tabs 218 also project beyond the perimeter wall 214. The alignment tabs 218 correspond to and cooperate with a number of alignment tabs 268 formed on the inside of the perimeter wall 264 of the second portion 260. The alignment tabs 268 formed on the inside of the perimeter wall 264 of the second portion 260 also projects beyond the perimeter wall 264. The alignment tabs 218 on the first portion 210 cooperate and engage with the alignment tabs 268 on the second portion 260, as shown in Figure 18, to help correctly aligned the first portion 210 relative to the second portion 260 when these two parts are brought together and joined. However, it is to be clearly noted that the use of these alignment tabs (or alignment means of any kind) on these respective parts is not absolutely necessary, and the tabs are not the only possible means by which the respective components may be aligned when being joined either. In other embodiments, it may be that, for example, the perimeter wall 214 on the first portion 210 may be formed so as to insert into and slide down the inside of the perimeter wall 264 of the second portion 260, and in this way the two components may be aligned when joined without the need for distinct alignment tabs. A range of other means for aligning the two components may also be used, although as mentioned above, alignment means are not essential.

[0067] It has been mentioned previously that the internal diameter at the outer end of each of the collection pipe connection points 270, and also the internal diameter at the outer end of the singular connection portion 201 on the first portion 210, are sized to receive a conventional four inch PVC pipe therein (with an outer diameter approximately 114 mm). However, it can also be seen in Figure 20 that in each of the collection pipe connections 270 there is a small step 271 where the internal diameter of the collection pipe connections 270 reduces or“steps-down” slightly to about 110 mm. Thus, the internal diameter on the outer end of each of the collection pipe connection points 270, on the outside of the step 271, is sized to receive a conventional four inch PVC pipe; however the internal diameter on the inner end of each of these collection pipe connection points 270 (i.e. inwards of the step 271) is slightly smaller and therefore too small to receive a four inch PVC pipe but still large enough to receive a conventional 100 mm PVC pipe (having an outer diameter of 110 mm). Furthermore, it can be seen from Figure 20 that a series of "stoppers" 272 are provided on the very inner end of each of the collection pipe connections 270. The steps 271, and the stoppers 272, perform a similar function. That is, the steps 271 in each connection point 270 prevent a four inch PVC pipe (where four inch PVC pipe is used to form the collection pipe 102 received therein) from being inserted into the connection point 270 any further than the step 271. Likewise, the stoppers 272 on the very inner end of each connection point 270 prevent a lOOmm PVC pipe (where 100 mm PVC pipe is used to form the collection pipe 102 received therein) from being inserted into the connection point 270 any further than the stoppers. The steps 271 and stoppers 272 therefore prevent the sections of pipe used to form the respective collection pipes 102 from being inserted too far into the manifold 200. This also ensures that, if all of the collection pipes 102 are the same diameter and they are all cut to the same length, and if they are all inserted all the way in and contact the step 271, or stoppers 272, as applicable, when connected to the respective upper and lower manifolds, the respective manifolds should be parallel to one another and square/perpendicular with the collection pipes once fully assembled.

[0068] There is also a similar step 211 and stoppers (not shown) on the inside of the single pipe connection 201 on the first portion 210. That is, in the single pipe connection 201 of each manifold 200, there is a small step 211 where the internal diameter of the single pipe connection 201 reduces or“steps-down” from approximately 114 mm (the outer diameter of conventional four inch PVC pipe) to approximately 110 mm (the outer diameter of conventional 100 mm PVC pipe). Thus, the internal diameter on the outer end of the single pipe connection 201, on the outside of the step 211, is sized to receive a conventional four inch PVC pipe; however the internal diameter on the inner end of the single pipe connection 201 (i.e. inwards of the step 211) is slightly smaller and therefore too small to receive a four inch PVC pipe but still large enough to receive a conventional 100 mm PVC pipe.

[0069] Thus, the step 211 or stoppers (not shown) prevent a four inch or 100 mm PVC pipe, whichever is used to form the upper link pipe 101 (if present), from being inserted into the single pipe connection 201 too far. This prevents the section of PVC pipe used to form the upper link pipe 101 (if present) from being inserted too far into the manifold 200.

[0070] Figure 19 shows that there is also an additional ridge 240 formed on the inside of the single pipe connection 201, near (or just above) where the single pipe connection 201 opens through the cover 212 of the first portion 210. The purpose of the ridge 240 is to facilitate mounting of the ball (float) and cage assembly 400.

[0071] As shown in Figure 21 through Figure 25, the ball (float) and cage assembly 400 includes a ball cage 410, a buoyant float or ball 405 and a valve seat 490. The way in which the overall ball cage assembly 400 itself is assembled is shown in Figure 23. Basically, the ball 405 is first inserted into the cage 410, and the valve seat 490 is then inserted into the top of the ball cage (where it is received in a snap-fit - see below). The valve seat 490 therefore traps the ball 405 within the ball cage 410.

[0072] The valve seat 490 includes an inner (slightly conical) annular portion 492. The annular portion 492 inserts into and through the top of the cage 410 when the assembly 400 is brought together. The lower circular rim of the annular portion 492 forms the actual edge or "seat" against which the ball 405 engages to seal/close the first flush diversion system. The valve seat 490 also includes a rim portion 494 which extends outwardly from the top of the annular portion 492. There are a number of (in this case four) snap fit tabs 496 formed in the rim 494. The snap fit tabs 496 project downward from the underside of the rim 494. The snap fit tabs 496 correspond to and engage (in a snap fit arrangement) with a number of slots 416 which are formed on the inside of a rim portion 412 at the top of the ball cage 410. Thus, the engagement of the snap fit tabs 496 with the slots 416 helps to secure (snap-fit) the valve seat 490 to the ball cage 410, thereby also trapping the ball 405 within the ball cage 410. Note that the use of snap fits between the valve seat 490 and the cage 410 is only one of the possible ways in which these may be held together. Other possibilities include gluing, screwing, friction/interference fit, ultrasonic welding, or indeed any other means for securing or maintaining these two

components together.

[0073] There are also a number of (in this case four) clip tabs 498 formed in and extending down from the outside of the rim 494 of the valve seat. These clip tabs 498 insert through corresponding slots 418 that are formed in the outer perimeter edge of the rim 412 of the ball cage 410. The clip tabs 498 help to mount the ball cage assembly 400 inside the upper manifold 200'. In this regard, it will be recalled from above that there is a ridge 240 formed on the inside of the single pipe connection 201, near (or just above) where the single pipe connection 201 opens through the cover 212 of the first portion 210 of the manifold. When the first flush diverter system is being assembled, and more specifically when the ball and float assembly 400 is being installed in the upper manifold 200' (the portions 210 and 260 will by then have been brought together to form the manifold 200' as a single component), before the upper link pipe 101 is inserted into the singular pipe connection 201, the assembled ball cage assembly 400 is inserted (with the cage 410 pointing down) through the top of the singular pipe connection 201. When the ball cage assembly 400 is thus inserted, the outer perimeter of the rims 494 and 412 of the valve seat 490 and ball cage 410 just fit within the inner internal diameter of the singular pipe connection 201 (i.e. on the inside of the step 211). However the rims 494 and 412 of the valve seat 490 and ball cage 410 are too wide and are unable to pass the ridge 240. In fact, when the assembled ball cage assembly 400 is inserted into the singular pipe connection 201, the clip tabs 498 initially contact the upper side of the ridge 240, and when a slight force is applied to continue forcing the assembly 400 into the manifold, the clip tabs 498 flex, ride over and clip onto (under) the ridge 240, thereby securing the ball cage 400 inside the upper manifold 200' in a snap-fit arrangement. Note that the use of a snap fit between the valve seat 490 and the manifold is only one of the possible ways in which these may be held together. Other possibilities again include gluing, screwing, friction/interference fit, ultrasonic welding, or indeed any other means for securing or maintaining these two components together. [0074] Figure 26 and Figure 27 illustrate a water release assembly 300 for connection to and use on the lower/outlet end of the first flush diversion system. Note that, in the embodiments depicted in the Figures, the location of the outlet of the first flush diversion system is, and the release assembly 300 is connected to, the singular connection portion 201 of the lower manifold 200". More specifically, a short length of conventional 100 mm PVC pipe 301 is provided which is inserted into and sealingly received within the singular connection portion 201 of the lower manifold 200", and the water release assembly 300 connects to the other end of the pipe section 301.

[0075] The water release assembly 300 comprises an inlet 310 for receiving water from the lower manifold 200" (and the collection chamber formed by the collection pipes 102 etc above) via connecting pipe 301, an outlet 320 for dispensing water and a conduit (not shown) connecting the inlet 310 to the outlet 320.

[0076] Attached to the conduit is a substantially cylindrical housing 330 which houses an electronic controller (not shown) for controlling the flow of fluid from the inlet 310, through the conduit, and out through the outlet 320. This electronic controller can be either battery operated or may be connected to a mains or other electricity source. It could e.g. be solar powered (as by one or more solar cells - not shown).

[0077] The controller may be programmable e.g. to allow the release/purge of water from the first flush diverter collection chamber/containment volume after a controllably adjustable time interval, 24 hours or a week for example, has elapsed since the last purge. This controllable time interval between "purges" will be referred to as the "time interval". The controller may also be programmable to allow water to travel/purge from the collection chamber and out of the outlet 320 for a controllably adjustable time period. This controllably adjustable length of time during which the controller causes the outlet 320 to be open (so that the water can purge from the first flush diverter collection chamber) will be referred to as the "time period". As an example, the time period may be 15 minutes but could conceivably be any amount of time.

[0078] Allowing adjustment of the time period for which the first flush diverter collection chamber can discharge water therefrom, and also adjustment of the time interval between discharges, may be advantageous due to the large variation in the size of roofs on different properties and the different environments the roofs are located in. Indeed the ability to make these adjustments may provide the user with additional means (i.e. in addition to choosing the appropriate volume of the first flush diverter collection chamber) for achieving their desired balance in the trade-off between quantity and quality of water collected and stored in the tank.

[0079] For example, roofs in dry areas with infrequent rainfall and/or low pollution levels may wish to set a greater time interval (i.e. between purges) to collect as much rain as possible (by maintaining the outlet 320 closed and (hopefully) the first flush diversion system full for longer thereby ensuring that any rain that falls on the roof while the first flush diversion system remains full flows through and into the tank), despite the possibility that some (or a slightly higher amount of) dirty water or impurities may consequently be directed to the water tank. That is to say, if maximizing or increasing the amount of water collected in the tank is particularly important but the amount of impurities is not of great concern (or at least if it is less of a concern than increasing how much is collected), the time interval can be increased resulting in a higher yield (i.e. more water collected and less lost to the first flush diverter) but potentially also slightly lower quality of the collected water (due to potentially increased levels of impurities in the collected water). In the case of roofs in other areas (e.g. wetter or more polluted areas), and/or if ensuring high quality/purity of collected water is paramount, a reasonably short time interval (i.e. between purges) may be used to minimise dirty water captured in the water tank (by increasing the frequency with which“flushes” of water from the roof containing impurities, which are collected in the first flush diverter, are purged). Put another way, if the roof is located in high pollution area or quality of water collected is of particular importance, the time interval can be reduced resulting in a lower yield (because more water is lost to the first flush diverter) but higher quality of water collected.

[0080] Adjusting the time period to increase the time that fluid is allowed to travel (purge) from the first flush diverter collection chamber and out of the outlet 320 may be desirable for buildings with larger roofs, and consequently larger (higher volume) first flush diverter collection chambers, which may take longer to fully drain/purge. Conversely, it may be desirable to decrease the time period that fluid is allowed to travel/purge from the first flush diverter collection chamber and out of the outlet for buildings with smaller roofs. It may be desirable to approximately match the time period to the time it takes to empty the first flush diverter collection chamber completely from when it is full (this will often depend on the size of the collection chamber/containment volume). This is so that the reservoir is“open” for long enough to completely empty from full, and so that no standing water remains inside the collection chamber, but so that the collection chamber does not remain open (open and empty) for much longer. This reduces the likelihood that pests, such as bugs, will be able to enter through the outlet of the release device 300 once the collection chamber has emptied completely. Additionally, if the reservoir has completely emptied but the outlet of the release device is still open when it starts raining, water will not be caught in the first flush reservoir and this will result in a reduction in the amount of water collected. Thus, the amount of water lost can be minimised by having the time period matched approximately to the emptying time.

[0081] The housing 330 in the illustrated embodiment includes two dials 332a, 332b and a clear dial cover 334 covering the dials. The first dial 332a allows for adjusting the emptying intervals (time interval) and the second dial 332b allows for adjusting the drain time (time period).

[0082] While the housing 330 shown includes two dials 332a, 332b for input, it will be appreciated that the housing (and the controller therein) 330 may instead (or in addition) include other input devices, such as buttons.

[0083] In some embodiments, the housing 330 may also include light emitting diodes (LEDs), or other indicators, e.g. to show that the water release assembly 300 has sufficient power from the batteries, or to indicate the currently set time interval and time period, etc.

[0084] There is a valve (not shown) located within the conduit which is operationally linked to the controller. In use, the controller opens and closes the valve at (and for) the predefined times programmed into the controller to control the purging of water from the first flush diverter collection chamber.

[0085] Turning to the inlet 310, there is a connector 302 for connecting the water release assembly 300 to a funnel 350. The inlet 310, inside connector 302, is internally threaded for receiving the externally threaded lower end (not shown) of the funnel 350.

[0086] Looking to the outlet 320, there is a standard male hose fitting 322 for connecting the outlet 320 to a hose, such as a garden hose, to allow the captured water and impurities to be hosed onto a garden or lawn, or dispensed into a bucket, or conveyed to a garden irrigation system, etc. This fitting 322 can be omitted or replaced with another fitting for connecting to other devices, if necessary. [0087] The funnel 350 has an internally threaded substantially cylindrical connector 352 which is adapted to be connected to the bottom of a plumbing fitting that in turn connects to pipe section 301 (and recall that pipe section 301 is sealingly connected into the lower manifold 200")· Extending from the connector 352 is a conical funnel portion 360, which feeds into the inlet of the water release assembly 300.

[0088] The funnel 350 is made from a clear or transparent material to allow a user to see how much, if any, sediment has built up above the inlet 310 in the funnel (such sediment may become settled or compacted and hence trapped in the funnel and therefore may not always flow out when water is flowing through - this is why it is important that it is transparent, so that a user can see if there is any such trapped sediment, which could block or obstruct flow through the funnel, and manually clean it out). .

[0089] Figure 30 through Figure 33 illustrate a wall-mounted the version of the first flush diversion system. This wall-mountain version is identical to the system 100 described above with reference to Figure 2 though Figure 6, except that in the wall-mounted version the weight of the system is borne at least in part by the stand shown (which engages directly with the ground or floor or other footing) rather than the full weight of the system being born solely by the brackets 105 which secure the system to the wall.

[0090] As mentioned above, Figure 34 and Figure 35 are side and perspective views, respectively, of a first flush diversion system which is mostly the same as the first flush diversion system in Figure 2 and Figure 30. However, the first flush diversion system in Figure 34 and Figure 35 is for“horizontal” installation. Note that the term“horizontal” is used here to differentiate the orientation in which this system is installed from the generally (or much more) vertical orientations of the systems in Figure 2 and Figure 30. However, it is important to note that use of the word“horizontal” is not intended to, and it does not, mean that this system is installed perfectly horizontally. On the contrary, it is important for the orientation in which this system is installed to have at least a slight slope or fall (sloping down from the end with the upper manifold 200’ to the end with the lower manifold 200”, as shown in these Figures wherein the upper manifold 200’ is on the left-hand side in the drawings) to help ensure proper operation of the valve ball/float to engage with the valve seat and seal the system after the required first flush volume has been collected. [0091] By way of further explanation, embodiments like the one in Figure 34 and Figure 35, which are intended for "horizontal" installation may be used, e.g., where it is desired to bury the first flush diversion system in the ground rather than have it installed attached to an exterior wall of the building. Thus, where such buried "horizontal" embodiments are used, a pipe (not shown, but similar to upper link pipe 101) will typically join (via a T-piece or the like, not shown) to the piping (not shown) which runs from the roof guttering to the water storage collection

tank/reservoir. This pipe will extend down into the ground to connect (via an elbow or the like, not shown) to the single pipe connection portion 201 on the (first portion of the) upper manifold 200'. The overall operation of the first flush diversion system in Figure 34 and Figure 35 is essentially the same as for the other "vertical" systems described above. This is despite the different orientation of the system. The fact that the system is installed on a (at least slight) slight slope, with the upper manifold 200' installed at the high-end (and with the ball valve and valve seat being located at the uppermost point within the overall collection chamber) means that, just as for the vertical systems described above, the system will still progressively fill during a rainfall event until it is full (after the required“first flush” volume of water has been captured) and the ball float 405 is forced into engagement with the valve seat 490 to close the system in the same way as for the vertical systems. Note that, in Figure 34 and Figure 35 there is no slow or controlled-release device or mechanism shown on the outlet end 201 of the lower manifold 200". However, any kind of slow or controlled-release mechanism or arrangement that may used on other vertical systems may also be used on horizontal systems.

[0092] It is also to be noted that the ball (float) and cage assembly 400 depicted in Figure 21 to Figure 25, as well as finding use in the upper manifold as in the embodiments of the present invention discussed with reference to the Figures above, may also have other uses. This may include use in first flush diverters similar to the conventional first flush diverter shown in Figure 1. For instance, consider a conventional first flush diverter like the one in Figure 1 but wherein the fall pipe 4, instead of being a straight vertical pipe, is instead a pipe incorporating one or more bends or angles or elbows or the like, possibly such that there may be horizontal sections of the fall pipe located between vertical sections of the pipe (with the horizontal section(s) connected to the vertical section(s) by the bend(s)). A problem that these bends or angles or elbows in the fall pipe might create is that, during the initial period of rainfall at the start of a rainfall event, when the water begins to fill within the fall pipe, the float 5 may be floated from the bottom upwards in/through the fall pipe with the rising level of the water; however there may be a possibility that the float could then become caught or jammed on or in one of the bends in the fall pipe (or in a horizontal section between other vertical sections of the fall pipe) thereby preventing the float 5 from rising to the top and sealing against the valve seat 9. In other words, instead of rising to the top to seal the fall pipe, the float may remain stuck somewhere down in the fall pipe, meaning that water (contaminated first flush water) may continue to flow up past the float and possibly all the way up through the valve seat and continue to the tank (which is undesirable as the purpose of the first flush diverter is to prevent such contaminants from reaching the tank). The ball and cage assembly 400 could be used to overcome this problem. Indeed, if the ball and cage assembly 400 were used in such a conventional first flush diverter (e.g. such as one of these first flush diverters having bends or angles in the fall pipe), by installing the ball and cage assembly 400 at the location of, or in place of, the valve seat 9, the ball float could not then fall all the way to the bottom of the fall pipe when the chamber is empty (it is contained in the cage), and consequently when the chamber is filling at the beginning of a rainfall event the ball could not become caught on one of the angles or bends or horizontal sections in the fall pipe. Rather, the float would be held captive within the ball cage near the valve seat at the top of the fall pipe/collection chamber, and would therefore be present to be pressed into engagement to seal against the valve seat when the collection chamber becomes full. Thus, if the ball and cage assembly 400 is used in a conventional first flush diverter, the fall pipe can have any shape without the risk that the ball will become jammed lower in the fall pipe and prevent the ball from reaching the top to seal the collection chamber when the required first flush volume has been collected.

[0093] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step, etc.

[0094] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0095] In this specification, the terms‘comprises’,‘comprising’,‘includes’,‘incl uding’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.