Water conservation apparatus and methods of using same

Abstract

Disclosed herein are water conservation methods and apparatuses that comprise optionally directing drainage water from a sink by a valve to either a toilet storage tank or the sewer or septic system. The drainage water diverted to the toilet storage tank can then be recycled by being used to flush the toilet. The valve may be easily manipulated by a user to provide a convenient option to recycle water for flushing the toilet, a use that is currently a major factor in the overconsumption of water in a household.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for conserving water comprising:
 directing drainage water from at least one sink by a valve to a toilet storage outlet pipe or a sewage outlet pipe;   directing said drainage water directed to said toilet storage outlet pipe to at least one toilet storage tank;   storing said drainage water in at least one said toilet storage tank;   directing said drainage water stored in said toilet storage tank to an outlet pipe through a toilet; and   directing said drainage water directed to said sewage outlet pipe to a sewer or septic system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method additionally comprises directing said drainage water from said toilet storage outlet pipe to a water storage compartment before being directed to said toilet storage tank. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said valve is a two-way valve, thereby directing said drainage water to either said sewer or septic system or said toilet storage tank. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said valve is electronically or mechanically activated to direct water either to said toilet storage outlet pipe or said sewage outlet pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said valve is activated to direct drainage water to said toilet storage tank until said toilet storage tank is filled. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said valve is activated to direct drainage water to said toilet storage tank once said toilet storage tank is emptied. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said valve is inserted into a drainage hole of said sink and into a pipe fitting, wherein said pipe fitting is attached to the bottom of the sink and encompasses the bottom of said sink drainage hole. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said pipe fitting is also connected to said sewage outlet pipe and connected to said toilet storage outlet pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said valve comprises a first end, a second end, an actuator, three transverse O-rings, an inlet for drainage water, an outlet for drainage water, and two longitudinal side sealers;
 wherein said actuator is located at said first end, said inlet is proximal to said first end, a first transverse O-ring is located between said actuator and said inlet, said outlet is proximal to said second end, a second transverse O-ring is located between said inlet and said outlet, a third transverse O-ring is located at said second end, and said longitudinal side sealers are located 180 degrees from each other.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said valve is rotated 180 degrees inside said pipe fitting by said actuator, thereby providing one position that directs drainage water to said toilet storage outlet pipe and wherein a second position is set after the 180 degree rotation and directs drainage water to said sewage outlet pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said valve inserted in said pipe fitting is lifted vertically up in an up position and pushed vertically down in a down position, wherein said down position plugs said sink and said up position allows water to drain down said sink. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said valve is removable from said drainage hole of said sink and said pipe fitting. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sewage outlet pipe and the toilet storage outlet pipe comprises PVC. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said pipe fitting comprises four arms. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein one arm is connected to said sink and is a water inlet, one arm is a water outlet connected to said sewage water outlet pipe, one arm is a water outlet connected to said toilet storage outlet pipe and one arm is sealed. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising at least one sink, a valve, a pipe fitting, a sewage outlet pipe, a toilet storage outlet pipe, a toilet and a toilet storage tank, wherein said pipe fitting is connected to the drainage hole of said sink, said valve is inserted within the drainage hole of said sink and said pipe fitting;
 wherein said pipe fitting is directly connected to both the sewage outlet pipe, and said toilet storage outlet pipe; and wherein said toilet storage outlet pipe is also connected to said toilet storage tank of said toilet and the sewage outlet pipe is also connected to a sewer or septic system, wherein said valve optionally directs sink drainage water to said toilet storage outlet pipe or said sewage outlet pipe.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising a cylindrical valve, wherein said cylindrical valve comprises a first end, a second end, an actuator, three transverse O-rings, an inlet for drainage water, an outlet for drainage water, and two longitudinal side sealers;
 wherein said actuator is located at said first end, said inlet is proximal to said first end, a first transverse O-ring is between said actuator and said inlet, said outlet is proximal to said second end, a second transverse O-ring is between said inlet and said outlet, a third transverse O-ring is located at said second end, and said longitudinal side sealers are located 180 degrees from each other.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said valve is inserted into a pipe fitting, wherein said pipe fitting comprises four arms. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein one arm is connected to a sink and is a water inlet, one arm is a water outlet connected to a sewage water outlet pipe, one arm is a water outlet connected to a toilet storage outlet pipe and one arm is sealed. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said valve is inserted into said arm connected to said sink. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said valve is rotated 180 degrees inside said pipe fitting by said actuator, thereby providing one position that directs drainage water to said toilet storage outlet pipe and wherein a second position is set after the 180 degree rotation and directs drainage water to said sewage outlet pipe. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said valve inserted in said pipe fitting is lifted vertically up in an up position and pushed vertically down in a down position, wherein said down position plugs said sink and said up position allows water to drain down said sink. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said valve is removable from said drainage hole of said sink and said pipe fitting.