Method and Apparatus for Collecting and Distributing Household Greywater to Landscape Irrigation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for collecting greywater from greywater sources such as bathtubs and showers before the greywater can enter the existing plumbing through a drain, without altering the plumbing, and communicating the greywater to a storage reservoir for use with irrigation landscaping, the apparatus including a drain cover and water inlet, and a pump providing a vacuum force for communicating the greywater through a communication conduit to the storage reservoir.

1 . A greywater collection and recycling system comprising,
 means to capture said greywater from a greywater source such as a bathtub or shower before said greywater enters the drainage system;   a fluid storage reservoir;   a fluidly sealed conduit communicating between said means to capture said greywater and said reservoir;   a pump;   a power source for powering said pump; and   whereby said pump provides a vacuum force to draw said greywater from said greywater source to said storage reservoir through said fluidly sealed conduit.   
     
     
         2 . A greywater collection and recycling system of  claim 1  wherein said means to capture said greywater comprises;
 a drain cover; said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a water intake, said water intake including at least one inlet fluidly communicating to a distal end, said distal end in a sealed engagement to said conduit; and 
 said drain cover positionable to form a seal over a drain of said greywater source to allow said greywater to communicate to said water intake in a pool formed in said greywater source to said storage reservoir. 
 
     
     
         3 . The greywater collection and recycling system of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 said water intake located on said top surface of said drain cover; and 
 said drain cover positioned to form said seal over said drain concurrently placing said water intake in an operative position to receive said greywater from a pool formed in said greywater source caused by said seal. 
 
     
     
         4 . The greywater collection and recycling system of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 means for an adjustment of a flow rate into said water intake; and 
 said adjustment providing a matching of said greywater communicated to said conduit with a fluid flow requirement of said pump. 
 
     
     
         5 . The greywater collection and recycling system of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 means for an adjustment of a flow rate into said water intake; and 
 said adjustment providing a matching of said greywater communicated to said conduit with a fluid flow requirement of said pump. 
 
     
     
         6 . A device of  claim 1  further comprising;
 a water filter engaged with said conduit between said means to capture and said reservoir. 
 
     
     
         7 . A device of  claim 4  further comprising;
 a water filter engaged with said conduit between said water intake and said reservoir. 
 
     
     
         8 . A device of  claim 2  where said power source is a solar panel and battery. 
     
     
         9 . A device of  claim 5  wherein said power source is a solar panel and battery. 
     
     
         10 . A device of  claim 6  wherein said power source is a solar panel and battery. 
     
     
         11 . A device of  claim 8  further comprising a foot activated on/off switch for powering said power source. 
     
     
         12 . A device of  claim 9  further comprising a foot activated on/off switch for powering said power source. 
     
     
         13 . A device of  claim 10  further comprising a foot activated on/off switch for powering said power source. 
     
     
         14 . A device of  claim 2  further comprising;
 means to position said bottom surface in registered engagement over said drain. 
 
     
     
         15 . A device of  claim 11  further comprising;
 means to position said bottom surface in registered engagement over said drain. 
 
     
     
         16 . A device of  claim 12  further comprising;
 means to position said bottom surface in registered engagement over said drain. 
 
     
     
         17 . A device of  claim 12  further comprising;
 said top surface being concave as to angle toward said inlet. 
 
     
     
         18 . A device of  claim 14  further comprising;
 said top surface being concave as to angle toward said inlet. 
 
     
     
         19 . A device of  claim 15  further comprising;
 said top surface being concave as to angle toward said inlet. 
 
     
     
         20 . A device of  claim 16  further comprising;
 said top surface being concave as to angle toward said inlet. 
 
     
     
         21 . A device of  claim 2  further comprising;
 said drain cover being a slip resistant floor mat. 
 
     
     
         22 . A device of  claim 17  further comprising;
 said drain cover being a slip resistant floor mat. 
 
     
     
         23 . A device of  claim 3  wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         24 . A device of  claim 18  wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         25 . A device of  claim 21  wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         26 . A device of  claim 2  further comprising;
 one or a plurality of apertures communicating from said top surface to said bottom surface; 
 foot activated means to open and close said apertures; and 
 whereby said apertures can be opened by a users foot to allow said greywater to flow to said drain without having to remove said cover from said drain. 
 
     
     
         27 . A device of  claim 14  further comprising;
 apertures communicating from said top surface to said bottom surface; 
 foot activated means to open and close said apertures; and 
 whereby said apertures can be opened by a users foot to allow said greywater to flow to said drain without having to remove said cover from said drain. 
 
     
     
         28 . A device of  claim 15  further comprising;
 apertures communicating from said top surface to said bottom surface; 
 foot activated means to open and close said apertures; and 
 whereby said apertures can be opened by a users foot to allow said greywater to flow to said drain without having to remove said cover from said drain. 
 
     
     
         29 . A device of  claim 16  further comprising;
 apertures communicating from said top surface to said bottom surface; 
 foot activated means to open and close said apertures; and 
 whereby said apertures can be opened by a users foot to allow said greywater to flow to said drain without having to remove said cover from said drain. 
 
     
     
         30 . A device of  claim 22  further comprising;
 apertures communicating from said top surface to said bottom surface; 
 foot activated means to open and close said apertures; and 
 whereby said apertures can be opened by a users foot to allow said greywater to flow to said drain without having to remove said cover from said drain. 
 
     
     
         31 . A method for using a greywater capture and recycle system comprising the steps of;
 a) covering a drain to form a seal in a greywater source such as a shower or bathtub;   b) allowing said seal to prevent a draining of said greywater and thereby form a pool of said greywater;   c) positioning a water intake having a conduit in sealed communication with a reservoir, in a position in said greywater source, to receive water from said pool;   d) activating a switch to communicate power to a pump;   e) allowing said pump to form negative pressure within said reservoir and said connected conduit; and   d) allowing said negative pressure to initiate a communication of said greywater from said greywater source to said reservoir.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising the steps of;
 e) filtering said greywater; and 
 f) using said greywater for irrigation.