Dual water supply system

Abstract

A dual water supply system for allowing a water storage tank to be supplied with water harvested from a rainwater catchment area and from a mains supply of water is disclosed. The system includes a valve being coupled to a mains supply of water. The valve is responsive to the level of water within the tank to operate the valve if the level of water in the tank drops below a predetermined level and a pipe to introduce water from the mains supply through an opening into the tank whereby an outlet from the pipe is spaced from the top of the tank and is visible externally of the tank.

1 . A dual water supply system for allowing a water storage tank to be supplied with water harvested from a rainwater catchment area and from a mains supply of water, the system including a valve being coupled to a mains supply of water, the valve being responsive to the level of water within the tank to operate the valve if the level of water in the tank drops below a predetermined level and a pipe to introduce water from the mains supply through an opening into the tank whereby an outlet from the pipe is spaced from the top of the tank and is visible externally of the tank.  
   
   
       2 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pipe is a stand pipe.  
   
   
       3 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1  the pipe extends in a generally horizontal direction.  
   
   
       4 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve is positioned within the tank.  
   
   
       5 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the valve is positioned above a level of an overflow outlet of the tank.  
   
   
       6 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve is positioned externally to the tank.  
   
   
       7 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the valve is positioned above the tank.  
   
   
       8 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the valve is positioned within a housing.  
   
   
       9 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve is a float controllable valve having a float responsive to the level of water in the tank.  
   
   
       10 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the float is connected to a float arm and the float causes the float arm to move in response to changes in the water level.  
   
   
       11 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the float is connected to a float arm and the float moves relative to the arm in response to changes in the water level.  
   
   
       12 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve is a sealed diaphragm type valve positioned either in an air gap above the maximum level of water within the tank or positioned below the maximum level of water within the tank and thereby normally immersed in the water when the level of the water within the tank is at the maximum level.  
   
   
       13 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pipe is in fluid communication with the valve.  
   
   
       14 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the pipe projects from the valve.  
   
   
       15 . A dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the pipe is a stand pipe that extends generally upwardly from the valve.  
   
   
       16 . A tank incorporating a dual water supply system as claimed in  claim 1.