GREYWATER RECYCLING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES, AND RELATED METHODS

A greywater recycling system for receiving, storing and recycling household waste influent, comprising: (a) a pre-filtration system comprising an open-ended transversal manifold placed in an elevated position, a series of micron-sized filters for collecting the influent, (b) a reservoir's storage system comprising: (i) a water level sensor for detecting the accumulated influent water level in a predetermined height, (ii) a pump, wherein the pump and the water level sensor are electrically connected together to automatically detect water level and activate or deactivate the pump, (c) the media housing filtration system comprising a series of filtration media for filtering out the effluent odor and contaminants, (d) an ultra-filtration system comprising the sub-micron sized filter, for sanitizing and purifying the outcome effluent, and (e) a check valve for adjusting effluent water pressure and directing the effluent flow direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Described here are systems, devices, and methods for use in the field of waste water recycling. More specifically, described here are and systems and methods that may be used to a treatment, expandable collection, storage system used in the recycling of household and commercial building waste water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to recent reports in approximately 25 years, fresh water may become very scarce. After three years of research, the entire world's population may go thirsty by 2040 and remarkably by 2020, 40 percent of the world's population could be adversely affected by global water shortages.

Within an ever growing population is the ongoing demand for commercial goods in which requires water for manufacturing. This industrial practice particularly in time of drought and with the ongoing global pollution of lakes, rivers and oceans only continues to aggravate the potentials for looming shortages.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) the average American family uses approximately 320 gallons of water per day, of which about 30 percent is devoted to outdoor uses. More than half is used for watering lawns and gardens and where nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for nearly one-third of all residential water use, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons per day.

Therefore, being presented is a method and apparatus capable of implementation into any structure to perform water conservation through recycling. Most building structures typically provide a water entry source as well as a waste water exit. Water entry and exit is dependent upon a series of pipes commonly referred to as plumbing and where upon installation, is regulated under specific aspects of building codes. Building codes are referred to by building inspectors to insure a quality of construction and whereby, plumbing codes are written by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, (IAPMO).

Within plumbing codes IAPMO refers to three different types of water associated with construction; potable, grey and black water. During construction, potable water rates the highest in priority in regards to safe delivery and whereas household waste water commonly referred to as greywater, is generated daily by households while doing chores such as, washing dishes, clothes, brushing teeth, taking baths, showers, or any water utilized in which is not directly related to toilets or urinals. The third water classification is considered blackwater which is generated and directed into the sewer system after flushing toilets or urinals.

In most cases, both grey and black water exits the structure together and is directed flow into municipal sewer lines or where in rural areas, into septic tanks for treatment. Typically all waste water exiting methods are reliant upon gravity fall through piping in order to reach its final destination.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus whereas up to fifty percent of the greywater generated by a typically households can be recycled and reused for outdoor irrigation, or in some cases it can be diverted back into the structure to replenish toilet tanks after flushing. Over the years a wide variety of methods have been developed to perform greywater treatment and recycling, as an example, U.S. CA 2759407/Green, demonstrates a “Grey Water Recycle System” is comprised of a pump unit that installs to the bathtubs overflow valve that siphons and the waste water and redirects it to the toilets tank. Another unit in the system replaces the sink trap and also redirects waste water to the toilet tank. Another unit is at the point of the water shutoff for the toilet. This selector valve unit is the intake for the system that senses if the toilet tank is empty and thus accepts the greywater flow or rejects it (and/or communicates this information to the other units). This unit also allows for the user to fill the tank from the city water feed if no grey water is available. Another unit is at the counter sink u-joint which redirects sink greywater to the system intake selector valve. Standard and custom piping is used for existing bathrooms as well as custom built models.

Basically Green's invention relies on a siphon pump attached to the bathtub overflow to redirect bathtub greywater to the toilet tank.

U.S. Patent WO 2005056935 B1/Oekroes, demonstrates a method for greywater reusing system for the reuse of household greywater from washing to flush the toilet, consisting of a greywater tank built on top of a front loader washer equipped with a stronger primary water pump and a possibly a secondary water pump controlled by the electronic central unit in harmony with the water sensors. The characteristic feature of the invention is that the automatically operating mechanical flushing system can be used independently, or together with the electronic flushing system operated by the electronic control unit of the washer in harmony with the water sensors, valves and pump(s).

Oekroes invention relies on a system where greywater recycling involves a washing machine together with an incorporated greywater tank, for the economical flushing of toilets, consisting of a combined grey water tank is built together in one single body unit with a washing machine provided.

Another example of a greywater recycling system is CA 2771600 A1 titled “Electronic grey water recycling system”/Ryan, this device is an electronic grey water recycling system designed for residential application. The unit would typically be installed in a basement located near a washing machine and/or hot water tank. The City Water OUT line can be used to supply a hot water tank with relatively warmer water due to the heat recovered from the grey water captured in the tank from showers, washing machines, etc.

The system is designed to minimize regular maintenance—such as cleaning filters—by incorporating an automated back flush cycle, which is triggered when the water level reaches the high water level mark. Ryan relies on an ultrasonic method for cleaning during the back flush cycle.

In application WO 2014029989 A1, titled: “Waste Water Recycling” by Holdsworth, Murray and Pearson disclose the method for capturing, storing and supplying cleaned grey water to a first reservoir for greywater, a second reservoir for cleaned greywater and an outlet for supply of cleaned greywater. The system being configured such that the inlet feeds the first reservoir, the first reservoir feeds the second reservoir and the second reservoir feeds the outlet. Wherein the first and second reservoirs are fluidly connected via a valve configured to allow fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir but not from the second reservoir to the first reservoir. Such an arrangement allows a head of cleaned greywater to build up in the second reservoir, e.g. to service multiple flushes of a toilet connected to the outlet. Moreover, when there is a greater head in the second reservoir than in the first reservoir, any turbulent water in the first reservoir (typically caused by grey water entering that reservoir) will not be able to enter—and disturb—the water in the second reservoir, resulting in cleaner water from the outlet supplied from the second reservoir. To the extent that potable water is supplied to top up the second reservoir (e.g. in the event of insufficient greywater input), the valve prevents that potable water from flowing into the first reservoir, thereby reducing the amount of potable water required.

Most of the publications described above would likely not pass IAPMO, UL or the Nation Sanitation Foundation, (NSF) standards for approved materials, consumer safety, or receive certification for meeting and maintaining water assurance standards as set forth by plumbing code number IGC 324-2015, a reference for; “Alternate Water Source Systems”. IGC 324 code specifies specific requirements in regards to material types, physical characteristics, performance and electrical safety and in maintaining and delivering a specific water quality in which would meet EPA's standards for environmental release.

However, if any of the publications described above do meet the criteria of IGC 324, the water quality then would only be acceptable for subsurface drip irrigation and not for surface release or the replenishment of toilet tanks. See the reference at http://www.iapmo.org/Pages/GetCertified.aspx.

In California some cities due to drought initiatives have mandated the recycling of greywater in order to meet their water conservation efforts. Statewide water conservation was implemented by various State agencies in hopes of conserving approximately twenty five percent of the State's annual usage.

However, building codes in regards to greywater recycling technologies and installation were slow to evolve and are now just making their way into written codes. These codes provide building inspectors with installation mandates and whether a collection, treatment and storage system has achieved certification recognition “for public use”. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a sanction approved water conservation apparatus based on written codes in which can be implemented by most households or commercial building operators, particularly since fifty two percent of the U. S. at the time of this writing is considered in drought.

All potable water which eventually becomes greywater may vary due to EPA's acceptable levels for turbidly, total dissolved solids, (TDS) biological oxygen demand, (BOD) chemical oxygen demand, (COD) and other organics commonly found or added to the water. Potable water will always vary in quality due to contaminate types, mineral content, geographic origin or by chemicals utilized during a treatment process to achieve a potable status. Therefore, various greywater treatment methods may be required or excised within a greywater recycling apparatus in order to meet prescribed water quality standards as set forth by various State and Federal agencies in regards to environmental release standards.

In response to some of the aforementioned methods and systems utilized in the treatment, storage and redistribution of greywater from residential or commercial structures will be addressed by the fields of this present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention of the greywater recycling system can work as a secondary plumbing system commonly installed inside a structure of the building to identify and isolate greywater from the blackwater.

The present invention further provides an expandability feature in regards to reservoir storage. In large metropolitan areas property configurations, lot sizes or the property line distance between homes which sometimes can only be a few of feet often limits installation location or the catch basin's storage capacity.

Due to space limitations or property configurations the subterranean catch basin can be expanded in length or width increasing the present invention's storage capacity by the acceptance of a secondary reservoir where storage capacity is often dictated by landscape square footage or how often the landscaping requires irrigation.

Further, building codes often dictate installation setback from the structure's foundation or from adjacent property lines. These setback regulations relate to the distance away from the structure or from a property line where the greywater system can be installed. Building codes typically state in regards to bury objects such as a tank, for every inch of depth relates to the amount of setback inches required away from the structure's foundation. As for example, if an object having a twenty inch depth is buried, then it requires a twenty inch setback from the foundation. Therefore, the present invention's frontal area and depth tapers back away from the structure and back towards the reservoir allowing installation to be performed closer to the structure's foundation. The present invention designates this tapering section as a dry area which provides housing for electrical components as well as for the series of media housing filtration system550.

The present invention further provides the option of working in conjunction with an optional ultrafine filtration or RIO system and whereas, these ultrafine systems should be considered as nano or ultra-micron membrane systems. These systems are used to produce an exceptional water quality, such as when using nano membranes during reverse osmosis, (RIO) for potable water applications.

Unfortunately, most homes and commercial building are already equipped with surface irrigation, (sprinkler) systems in which due to EPA's water quality requirements for spray, (surface) irrigation, the catch basin's filtration systems does not meet the EPA's standards for spray irrigation. Therefore, the catch basin would have to work in conjunction with an ultra-fine filtration system in order to produce and maintain the standards for surface release.

Under IGC 324 there is an allowance for surface spray but only if the catch basin works in conjunction with an ultrafine filtration system accompanied by flow through a ultra-violet light, (UV). Further if the catch basin system works in conjunction with the ultrafine filtration and UV system then the treated greywater can be returned back inside the structure and used to replenish toilet tanks.

However, in some irrigation applications and due to daily household greywater generation, a complete catch basin, ultrafine filtration and UV system may not satisfy a full spray irrigation cycle. This presents irrigation inadequate's for the home owner as well as to commercial building operators.

According to most Public Health Departments, the commingling of treated greywater with potable or municipal water is not allowed. To overcome the irrigation cycle problem, make up water from an additional source such as municipal may be used but only when taking the proper precautions to prevent cross contamination due to water commingling contact.

An approved method in preventing cross contamination is a method commonly known by the plumbing industry as an “air gap”. An air gap is simply an atmospheric opening existing between the two types of waters. An air gap according to the plumbing industry is an unobstructed vertical space between a water inlet and the flood level of a fixture.

In the case of the present invention, an air gap method can be implemented and maintained inside the storage reservoir between a municipal water inlet and the prescribed grey water full point. The air gap method allows maintaining enough water inside the reservoir at all times to complete the irrigation task.

To prevent over flowing the reservoir with municipal water an electric shut off valve connected to the municipal water inlet can be utilized with the electric valve closing or opening triggered by the water level sensor. Optimally, if the level sensor were to reach its predetermined low setting it would open the valve allowing an inflow of municipal water and whereas, once reaching a predetermined high level and before closing up the air gap, the level sensor would trigger the valve to close.

In response to some of the aforementioned methods and systems used in the treatment and transfer of grey water for recycling will be addressed by the fields of the present invention. These, other features and advantages may be incorporated into certain embodiments of the invention which will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims. However, due to redundancy of multiples of sinks, toilets, bathtubs and showers, the present invention explanation should be interpreted as “a series of” unless otherwise noted. Therefore and once explained, the present invention should not require that all the advantageous and features be described herein or be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described here are systems, methods, greywater recycling devices, and positioning components that can be used in the greywater recycling. Further, methods for making greywater recycling are described.

FIG. 1illustrates a flow diagram of a conventional home or commercial building where greywater can be accepted and treated for recycling. Within building codes are for three different of water classifications associated with structural plumbing; potable, grey and blackwater. Within these codes are regulations governing greywater recycling systems and where only selected greywater sources can be utilized for collection and recycling. In other words, within homes and commercial buildings are greywater sources that according to plumbing codes are not suitable for collection. These sources include greywater coming from kitchen sinks, garage disposes and dishwashers. This is mainly due to food contamination contributing to bacteria, virus accumulation and growth. Greywater contributed by these sources are directed flow into the sewer system along with blackwater obtained from toilet or urinal flushing.

FIG. 1illustrates a conventional recycling system100. The individual bathroom section having blackwater generated by a toilet2in which when flushed is directed flow into a dedicated sewer line4. The blackwater once exiting sewer line4flows into a master sewer pipe6having connection to the main sewer system. The greywater coming from either of the washing machine5, the Bathroom sink8, bathtub or shower10can be plumbed with secondary piping more commonly referred to as purple piping,12and14which collects and directs greywater flow towards purple master collection pipe16.

Master collection pipe16receives greywater from the various approved sources and directs flow under gravity influence into a subterranean catch basin18. The subterranean catch basin18of the conventional system100is usually buried below ground level to accept a gravity fall rate in the deliverance of greywater from the structure as opposed to utilizing an electric pump for delivery.

During installation the hole dug for the subterranean catch basin system18is organized such that the removal lids sit flush with ground level. However, in situations where a concrete slab floor may be planned for new construction or where the greywater system is planned as a retro-fit system to an older structure utilizing a slab floor, it may require the catch basin18to be buried deeper in the ground in order to receive an ampule gravity flow. Slab floors in general often hinder and prevent an ample flow due to existing sewer pipe poured in concrete during construction sit within or just below the slab. In these cases, the catch basin18of the conventional system may require a deeper burial rate in order to achieve ampule gravity flow. If the catch basin18requires a lower burial rate an extension ring11having the same outside dimensions as the catch basin housing18and lid9can be installed around the outer perimeters where the lid9normally would install. Once the ring11is installed it makes provisions to accept and mount the lid9. The extension ring11is used to elevate the lid to the surrounding ground level and provides a series of vertical through holes used to retain bolts required for lid9and extension ring11installation to the catch basin18.

Under current building codes the lid9of the catch basin system18must be colored in purple for greywater identification and further, it is permanently marked listing a series of safety precautions. These precautions include having the manufacture name, the maximum influent capacity, “Gray Water”, “Danger” and “Unsafe Water” and in addition, the lid9must be capable of sustaining a weight bearing load of approximately three hundred pounds or better.

As shown inFIG. 1, the conventional recycling system100has disadvantages for greywater recycling because the catch basin18can be overwhelmed too fast or with too much influent flow when the influent is provided out flow passage from the catch basin18through an attached back flow preventer valve,20. Backflow is a term used in plumbing for the unwanted flow of water in a reverse direction. Sewer contamination can be of a serious health risk if allowing sewer constituents entry into a water supply. For this reason, building codes mandate a series of measures and backflow prevention devices to prevent sewage backflow and therefore, the back flow preventer valve20location must allow a connection between the catch basin18and sewer line6in order to prevent a back flow of sewage from entering into the catch basin housing18. However, the conventional recycling system100usually cannot solve the backflow problems described above.

FIG. 2illustrates the current invention of the graywater recycling system200, with a schematic flow diagram pertaining to influent treatment, storage and distribution. The greywater recycling system200is comprised of a pre-filtration system250, a reservoir's storage system350, a media housing filtration system550, and an ultra-filtration system450.

The influent16first enters into the pre-filtration system250which is composed of an open-ended manifold54incorporating a series of descending exit openings24. These descending exit openings24also contain a series of attached pre-filters26. The pre-filters26can be micron-sized, between fifty to hundred microns. These pre-filters26can be applied to withhold and remove household solids such as hair, food particles or washing machine lint before the greywater enters into the reservoir's storage system350. The pre-filters26can be removed and reversed flushable to allow the consumer to remove the pre-filters26periodically for inspection, cleaning or replacement. The number of the descending exit openings24can be single or plural and expandable based on the needs of the users.

InFIG. 2, once the inflow of greywater influent16has completed the pre-filtration system250, but while still under gravity influence, the influent16is then allowed migration into the reservoir's storage system350. On the side wall of the reservoir system350, a water level sensor15is incorporated and utilized to prevent the reservoir's storage system350from overflowing. Once the water reaches a predetermined height, the sensor15electrically activates a submerged transfer pump30mounted down inside the reservoir system350. The pump30is utilized to transfer the pre-filtered influent32into a series of individual housings of the housing system550containing known filtration media330such as, activated carbon, green sand, clays, deamacious earth, kinetic degradation flux or into a ion resin bed housing, all known to reduce or remove certain contaminate types or water hardness commonly associated with greywater. The influent transfer pump30produces enough pressure to push the influent16to and through the media330.

The life span or loading of the media330is determined by the milligrams of contaminate contained within a liter, (mg/l). Once the greywater has passed through the pre-filter stage only microscopic contaminate such as; organics, chlorine, heavy metals, phosphorus, total coliforms remain. These types of contaminate are easily absorbed by the different individual types of media330.

Since each of the different media types individually target certain types of contaminates, a suggested flow progression through the different housing system550should be practiced in order to reduce media loading and to preserve the media's longevity. As an example, detergents coming from the various greywater feed sources should be filtered out first to prevent media330surfactant loading and to improve the water's turbidity.

During the flow progression the influent16should be first subjected to a starting media76in similar to cretaceous sandstone having a sieve size in the range of two hundred. As the influent16flows through the cretaceous sandstone and due to sieve size, detergent surfactants are adsorbed by sticking to individual sand gains thus removing them out of solution and helping to clarify the water. Further, any particulate solids which may have escaped the pre-filtration stage will be trapped by the sandstone preventing solids from transferring into the next media housing.

The next media inline74should be in similar to manganese greensand having the same sieve size as the cretaceous sandstone. Manganese greensand is capable of reducing iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide through oxidation and filtration and helps to reduce water odor perhaps from stagnate water stored within plumbing pipes or from a washing machine. Further like the cretaceous sandstone, the sieve size helps to improve turbidity by further trapping detergent surfactants and solids which may have escaped the cretaceous sandstone housing.

The third inline media72should be in similar to activated carbon having a sieve size around ten. Activated carbon is commonly used in water treatment due to its ability to collect and confine certain types of contamination within its microscopic pores. Activated carbon is known to reduce or remove a wide range of environmental water contaminants including; non-biodegradable organic compounds (COD), absorbable organic halogens (AOX), toxicity, color compounds and dyestuffs, inhibitory compounds, aromatic compound including phenol and bis-phenol A (BPA), chlorinated and halogenated organic compounds and pesticides.

A next inline media70should be in similar to kinetic degradation fluxion, (KDF). KDF is known to reduce or remove free chlorine, (up to ninety five percent) contained within the influent water. KDF media is composed of high-purity copper-zinc granules and when wetted performs a function of redox, (exchanging of electrons) to remove chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, water soluble heavy metals and microorganisms within the influent.

According to EPA's water quality values, (EPA/625/R-04/108 a guideline for water reuse, the following list of contaminate and its acceptable levels for environmental release present the following filtration challenges to the greywater recycling system:

To one skilled in the art, any number of media housing or media types could be utilized during the filtration process to achieve a reduction or removal of EPA's listed contaminates or to achieve a desired degree of contaminate removal for environmental release and where flow progression, media types or the number of housing utilized during the treatment process should not be limited.

In one embodiment, the present invention of the greywater recycling system200provides outlet options to works in conjunction with an ultra filtration system450. To meet the water quality standards as set forth by EPA for environmental release, the ultrafine filtration systems450contains the filters in the sub-micron range to produce a better quality of effluent coming out of the catch basin.

Still in another embodiment, the ultra filtration system450contains the ultra micron filters38can be specified with special chemical coating known as being detrimental to bacteria and viruses. Water being very vulnerable allows housing of aquatic pathogens capable of causing disease and is easily adsorbed or leached through soils to contaminate groundwater aquafers or wells.

Still in another embodiment, the ultra filtration system450contains a housing40which can be incorporated into the greywater recycling system200. The housing40contains ionic resin beads which are known to reduce or remove water hardness minerals or to treat certain types of aquatic pathogens within the influent stream. If the original tap water was delivered to the structure containing high levels of minerals then concurrently the waste greywater will be the same.

Still in another embodiment of the current invention, the ultra filtration system450contains a reverse osmosis system, the (R/O) system42. The ultra micron filter38and the Housing40are often used to reduce or remove mineral content particularly prior to influent entry into the RIO system42. Such R/O system42is commonly used to produce potable water sometimes from a blackish or ocean water source or to provide a higher grade of water treatment. Prior for the influent to entering the RIO system42, the ultra micron filter38and the Housing40with resin beads are commonly used to help prevent filtration membrane loading due microscopic contaminate or high mineral content which traps within membrane pores causing them to plug or fowl creating a loss in efficiency.

Still in another embodiment, the ultra filtration system450contains the capacitive deionization (CDI), the elector-dialysis (ED), or the distillation system which provide similar filtration functions as RIO system42.

Still in another embodiment of the current invention, the ultra filtration system450contains a ultra-violet (UV) light system44. Once processing through the R/O membrane42, the influent is then subject to a UV system44which is known to be effective in disabling harmful viruses and preventing their reproduction. The UV is used in many applications including being used to disinfect both well and municipal water supplies. The UV system44is used as a second defense to insure micro-organisms are not introduced into the environment.

Once traversing through UV system44the effluent is received by a check valve46which can be adjusted by the liquid pressure. The check valve46can be applied to control the effluent flow direction. In one embodiment to apply treated greywater for subsurface irrigation purposes, the effluent can be directed by the check valve46with the spring resistance to flow and exit directly to line48when there is no optional filtering devises such as the ultra micron filters38, the RIO system42, and the UV purification system44available. In another embodiment, when the above filtering devises are available (i.e., with the ultra micron filters38, the R/O system42, and the UV system44), but due to a lack of spring resistance of the check valve46, the effluent flow is directed to the outlet line50which directs the flow to the optional ultra-filtration system450.

FIG. 3illustrates how the pre-filtration system250work in the greywater recycling and filtration. InFIG. 3, the pre-filtration system250receives influent flow through the manifold54. The manifold54mounts in an elevated position in relationship to the pre-filtration system250and mounts horizontally across the system housing250. The manifold54utilizes a series of rubber gaskets in which form a seal against the side wall of the ultra-filtration system450and prevents the influent leakage from the manifold54.

As shown inFIG. 5, the manifold54comprises several portions. The incoming influent16flows into the first horizontal plane portal32. Next to the first horizontal plane portal32is a descending curvature90connected to the first horizontal plane portal32and is lowered in a relative height for allowing the influent to migrate under gravity. The descending curvature90is lowered comparing to the horizontal level of the first horizontal plane portal32. The lowered portion of the descending curvature90can allow the influent16to flow under gravity easily to the next portion of the manifold54. Next, the influent16flows into the second horizontal plane portal92connected to descending curvature90. The second horizontal plane portal92contains multiple descending exits24coupled with multiple micro-sized filters26. The exists24allow the influent to migrate downward through a series of micro-sized filters26and enter into the reservoir's storage system.

The manifold54further contains an ascending curvature94connected to the second horizontal plane portal92. The ascending curvature is designed to be raised in a relative height comparing to the second horizontal plane portal92, for redirecting the overflowed influent back to the second horizontal plane92. In the case when the influent16flushes through the manifold54too fast to the third horizontal plane portal96and pass the exits24without going downward to the filters26, the overflowed influent16accumulating into the portion of the ascending curvature94can be redirected back into the lowered second horizontal plane portal92and then migrate into the filters26. The last portion of the manifold54contains a third horizontal plane portal96connected to the ascending curvature94for allowing the influent to exit, and a one-way backflow valve48attached to the third horizontal plane96for allowing the influent flow out to the sewer system in a one-way direction. The one-way flow valve20is connected to the sewer system. The one-way flow valve20is more commonly referred to as a “back flow preventer valve” which prevents sewage back up from entering into the catch basin system. In another embodiment, the one-way backflow valve48is pressure-operated to allow the influent coming from the manifold54to enter into the sewer line but not backflow into the manifold54.

In another embodiment, there are multiple ascending curvatures94coupled with multiple corresponding third horizontal plane portals94. Still in another embodiment, there are multiple third horizontal plane portals in connection with multiple descending curvatures90. The design of multiple horizontal plane portals, together with multiple descending and ascending curvatures facilitate the influent16to be recycled and filtered in multiple stages with the micro-sized filters24, and to prevent overflowed influent16from directly flow through the sewer system.

FIG. 3illustrates the detailed structure and components of the pre-filtration system250. The pre-filters housing26of manifold's54features the micron rating that allow the influent16to migrate downwardly due to the pull of the gravity. The gravity migration of the influent16can work in a manner to withhold household solids such as hair, food particles or washing machine lint prior to the entry of the influent16into the catch basin's reservoir22(FIG. 5). The pre-filters26are removable and further are reversely flushable, allowing the consumer to remove the pre-filters26periodically for inspection, cleaning or replacement.

FIG. 4illustrates the structure of the catch basin reservoir22enclosing the pre-filtration system250, and the attached tapered bay housing55for extra space storage. In reference to FIG.4a tapered bay housing55is used to house various electrical components of the greywater recycling system200. Both the housing55and the reservoir section22are accessed for internal maintenance by removing their enclosing lids58and56. The tapered bay section55is designated as the dry area of the system200and therefore is used to house electrical components such as an enclosed electrical box which distributes power to the UV system350and to the submergible the transfer pump30located inside the reservoir's storage system350. The tapered bay housing55also provides a housing area for the series of media filters330which require accessibility for maintenance.

The tapered bay housing55is dedicated primarily to influent storage but also provides housing for the submergible transfer pump30, influent level sensor15and the receiving manifold54.

The frontal60and the depth area of the tapered bay55and the reservoir taper62, is designed to tapper away from the structure allowing the system200of the current invention installation to be performed closer to a structure's foundation.

InFIG. 4, the catch basin reservoir22allows the influent capacity expansion by receiving one or more additional reservoirs. Secondary reservoirs can be attached to the primary reservoir by using a plurality of tapering receiving slots64working in conjunction with corresponding plurality of tapering protruding blocks65and wherein, the first housing defines two or more protruding block65and thereon, the second housing defines two or more corresponding receiving slots64which allows mating migration and final attachment to occur between one or more secondary sections to a first section.

The series of receiving slots64and corresponding protruding blocks are incorporated on each side wall of the reservoirs and therefore, the plurality of tapering receiving slots64are primarily located on the frontal side of the reservoir22correspond with a plurality of tapering protruding blocks65on the backside of the tapered bay section55allowing a slide together fit for attachment made between the two housings64and65.

FIG. 5illustrates a schematic view of how the components are installed inside the catch basin's reservoir22and inside the tapered bay section55. The reservoir section22provides housing for the open ended manifold54and for the series of pre-filters26. InFIG. 2, the influent flow16is received by the manifold54which directs the influent16towards the series of pre-filters26. Under gravity influence, the influent16traverses through the series of per-filters26and into the reservoir22where it's allowed accumulate. In cases where the manifold54may be overflowed with influent16, the opposite end of the manifold54is left open to provide entry into a one way back flow preventer valve20which connects directly to the sewer system6inFIG. 2.

Within the reservoir22, a submergible pump30is housed which is electrically activated by the water level sensor15once the influent16accumulation level reaches a predetermine height. InFIG. 5, the submergible pump30and the water level sensor15are electrically wired together to a relay located inside the electrical box80. The relay is used to open or close an electrical circuit between the pump30and the water level sensor15. Once the influent16reaches a predetermined height, the electrical circuit closes via the relay and completes an electrical circuit between the sensor15and the pump30. Once the influent16inside the reservoir22has depleted, the sensor15then detects the low level water, and opens up the relay that breaks the electrical circuit can then cause the pump30to shut down.

Once the pump30is activated, it pumps the influent16through the piping68which connects to media housing system550which contains cretaceous sandstone. The cretaceous sandstone76is used mainly to remove detergent surfactant and suspended solids which may have escaped the pre-filtration process.

Once traversing through the cretaceous sandstone housing76, a pressure is created when the influent16under the pump30will be pushed into the media housing system550containing the manganese sandstone74. The manganese sandstone74is somewhat in redundant to the sandstone but does remove iron, hydrogen sulfide, reduces any stagnated water odor and helps to further improve the influent turbidity.

In another embodiment, when traversing through the manganese sandstone housing74, the influent16is under the pump pressure that will be pushed into media housing system550which contains the activated carbon72. The activated carbon72is commonly used in the water treatment due to its ability to collect and confine certain types of contamination within its microscopic pores. The activated carbon72is applied to reduce or remove a wide range of the environmental water contaminants including; non-biodegradable organic compounds, absorbable organic halogens, toxicity, color compounds and dyestuffs, inhibitory compounds, aromatic compound, chlorinated and halogenated organic compounds and pesticides.

Still in another embodiment, the influent traversing through the activated carbon housing74under the pump pressure will be pushed into the media housing system550which contains kinetic degradation fluxion, (KDF)70. KDF is known to reduce or remove free chlorine, (up to ninety five percent) contained within the influent water. KDF media is composed of high-purity copper-zinc granules and when wetted performs a redox function, (exchanging of electrons) to remove chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, water soluble heavy metals and to control microorganisms growth and accumulations such as; algae, bacteria and fungi.

After traversing through media housing system550and before exiting the catch basin reservoir22through the piping exit48, the effluent16will undergo one final treatment process of the ultra-filtration system450where it's exposed to ultra-violet, (UV) light44to eliminate any bacteria or viruses which may have escaped the previous filtration processes.

In understanding that the catch basin reservoir22was designed to operate as a standalone system it can also be equipped to operate downstream of other optional equipment such as an ultra or reverse osmosis systems or a combination of both as described above inFIG. 2.

Exemplary Embodiment

A 3rdwater certification lab was hired to conduct the required series of lab tests to judge the efficiencies of the catch basin system and whether it could pass the effluent criteria for subsurface irrigation as set forth by EPA:

For those skilled in the art, any number of media housings or media types can be utilized during the filtration process to achieve a desired degree of contamination reduction or removal for environmental release. Therefore, the present invention flow progression, media types, media housings or pre-filters utilized should not be limited to a specific type or number. While the systems, methods, and devices have been described in some detail here by way of illustration and example, such illustration and example is for purposes of clarity of understanding only. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings herein that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.