FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a water management system and method more particularly, but not exclusively, to a water management system and method for managing the use of grey water.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Water management systems are well-known and widely used.

Many countries and regions have experienced severe droughts in recent times and water management has become of utmost importance.

In this specification, the term "grey water" shall mean gently used water from bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. It is not water that has come into contact with human waste, either from the toilet or from washing diapers. Grey water may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain household cleaning products. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a water management system and method to facilitate the use of grey water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a water management method comprising the steps of:

- pumping grey water used in a dwelling to a grey water storage tank,

- allowing the grey water in the grey water storage tank to feed a toilet cistern; and

- using the water from the storage tank to flush a toilet.

The method further includes the step of collecting the grey water in a collection tank from where the grey water is pumped to the storage tank.

There is still further provided for the method to include the step of a control means actuating a valve for disconnecting mains water supply from the toilet cistern and connecting the storage tank to the cistern when a sensor senses that there is sufficient grey water in the grey water storage tank.

The storage tank may have an overflow to allow excess grey water pumped into the storage tank to be discarded into a further storage tank or into an exciting waste water outlet or to an outlet outside of the dwelling. Alternatively, a second sensor senses that the grey water storage tank is full and causes a control means to switch a second valve to disconnect the collection tank from the storage tank and to connect an outlet of the storage tank to a waste water outlet or to an outlet pipe that terminates outside the dwelling for use of the water in a garden or the like.

A further step includes allowing the water to flow under force of gravity from the storage tank to the toilet cistern.

There is provided for connecting an air vent to the collection tank and/or the storage tank or to a pipe in the system and for the air vent to terminate outside the dwelling. In accordance with a second aspect of this invention there is provided a water management system comprising a pump for pumping grey water from an installation or equipment in a dwelling to a grey water storage tank, the grey water storage tank being selectively connectable to a toilet cistern. The grey water storage tank is at a higher elevation than the cistern.

Grey water may be collected in a collection tank prior to being pumped by the pump to the storage tank. There is provided for the storage tank to be at a higher elevation than a cistern of a toilet.

A further feature of the invention provides for the installation to include one or more consisting of the group of: a basin, a shower, a bath, a dishwasher, a sink and a washing machine.

There is provided for a pipe network to be connected to an outlet of each installation and to the collection tank.

A still further feature of the invention provides for the pipe network to connect the pump between the collecting tank and the storage tank.

A further pipe including a valve connects the storage tank to a toilet cistern.

The storage tank has an overflow to discard excess water into a waste outlet or into an outlet that terminates outside the dwelling to use the water in a garden or the like. Alternatively, a sensor senses that the storage tank is full and causes a valve to cause water pumped from the pump to be pumped to a waste water outlet or to an outlet that terminates outside the dwelling instead of to the storage tank, to discard such water or to use it in a garden or the like. The sensor or a second sensor causes a control means to actuate the valve when the storage tank is empty, to disconnect the storage tank from the cistern and/or to connect a mains supply to the cistern. These and other features of the invention are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings a water management system is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 .

With reference to figure 1 , the system includes a network of pipes 3 connected on one side to a mains water supply 2 and, on the other side, to a sewage outlet 17. The main supply is connected to a geyser 4 and to cold water taps 6 of a basin 5, shower 9 and bath 10. In turn, an outlet of the geyser 4 is connected to hot water taps 7 of the basin 5, shower 9 and bath 10.

The outlets 15 of the basin 5, shower 9 and bath 10 drain into a collecting tank 13, under force of gravity. A pump 14 pumps the water used by the basin, shower and bath to a storage tank 16 which is at a higher elevation than a toilet 1 1 .

The system and/or storage tank may include air vents extending therefrom to a practical, logical and acceptable height, preferably above a roof of the dwelling, where the system is installed, as in known in the art. Additional air vents may be installed in the network of pipes as may be required.

Water pumped by pump 14 from the collection tank to the storage tank 16, flows, and force of gravity, into the cistern 12 of the toilet 1 1 where it can be used to flush toilet. Once a toilet is flushed sewage exits the system at the sewage outlet 17.

Instead of only the bath, shower and the basin, grey water can also be collected from equipment such as sinks, washing machines and dishwashers.

Figure 2 shows a slightly different embodiment. A pump and filter system pumps the collected grey water to the storage or grey water tank. However, should the grey water tank be full, grey water is discarded as waste water, as is known in the art.

The storage or grey water tank may have an over flow which overflow allows water to be discarded as waste water. Alternatively, it may have a sensor to switch a valve to allow the used grey water to be discarded as waste water instead of being pumped into the grey water storage tank. The sensor will again allow grey water to be pumped into the storage tank when the water level in the storage tank drops.

In addition, when the storage tank is low on grey water, a sensor will cause a valve to allow mains to feed the toilet cistern. The valve will agaon be switched once the grey water storage tank is sufficiently full, thereby shutting off mains water supply to the toilet cistern.

The storage tank may have an outlet connection to facilitate use of the grey water in a garden or as may otherwise be desired.

In use, when the equipment such as the basin, shower or bath are used, the used water or grey water, instead of being discarded into drains, is collected in the collection tank 13 and then used to flush a number of toilets within a domestic, office or other dwelling.

It is envisaged that the invention described herein will be relatively easily and inexpensively installed and will lead to a substantial water-saving. The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and many other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, filters and odour removing chemical systems, may be included if required and any other equipment from where grey water is normally discarded may be used instead of only the equipment referred to above.