AU2008201248A1 - Apparatus and Method for Conservation of Shower Water - Google Patents

Description

P001 Secton 29 Regulaton 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: Apparatus and method for conservation of shower water The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 00 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONSERVATION OF SHOWER WATER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to water-conservation, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for the conservation and/or recycling of shower water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 00 There is an emerging consensus in many societies that consumption of by human beings, including water resources, must be reduced and/or 1 made more efficient. Many populated regions of the world, including some of the 00 major Australian population centres, are affected by periods of drought, during Swhich water reserves may be depleted, and it may become necessary to impose relatively harsh restrictions on the use of water resources. Increasingly, a majority of climate scientists agree that the world is undergoing a period of climate change, most probably under the influence of human activities in general, and the production of greenhouse gases in particular, and that associated with such climate change may be more extended periods of drought in at least some regions. Continuing population growth, and concentration of populations in major cities, also places strains upon water reserves and corresponding catchment areas. While alternative approaches to ensuring adequate water supplies are available, including recycling of waste water and desalination of sea water (in coastal regions), such approaches necessarily result in additional environmental impact, for example as a result of the energy required for their implementation.

Accordingly, there is an ongoing and pressing need for people to make more efficient use of available water resources.

Various apparatus and methods for the conservation and/or recycling of household water have been devised. Of particular concern is the wastage of substantially clean water that may occur in the course of bathing or showering. In this regard, shower-heads having a limited flow rate have been developed, and their installation is required by law in some jurisdictions. Other mandatory or voluntary household water-conservation devices and systems include dual-flush toilets, domestic rainwater tanks, grey-water recycling systems, trigger nozzles for garden hoses and the like, and so on.

00 0 Some water-conservation methods and associated devices take advantage of the fact that a certain amount of household water, and particularly bath or shower water, may be wasted simply while waiting for the water to warm to an acceptable temperature. Such water is substantially clean, and may therefore be used for a wide range of purposes, including washing or rinsing vehicles or clothes, watering gardens, and so forth. Furthermore, during 00 showering an additional quantity of substantially clean water may be wasted when the user is engaged in activities, such as lathering shampoo or soap, which 1 do not involve the rinsing of dirty and/or soapy water from the body.

00 So-called "grey-water" recycling systems are available, which collect Shousehold waste water contaminated by relatively harmless impurities, such as soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, and the like. Such grey-water may be used for flushing toilets, and for watering suitably hardy outdoor plants.

However, grey-water is not suitable for other uses, such as washing vehicles, and most particularly for watering more sensitive plants, and plants such as herbs, fruit trees, or vegetables that are intended for human consumption. However, as noted above, there is a significant volume of substantially clean water that is wasted in typical households every day, and which would be entirely suitable for these purposes. While methods for the collection of such waste water have been employed in an ad hoc manner, such as by collecting an initial run of shower or bath water in a bucket, while waiting for an acceptable water temperature to be reached, such methods are limited in their effectiveness. For example, household buckets are of limited size (typically up to about 10 litres), and even so there have been reports of people, particularly the elderly and infirm, incurring injuries while transporting heavy buckets of collected clean water.

It is therefore desirable to provide improved apparatus and methods for conservation of substantially clean water which may be used with a variety of common household bathing and/or showering facilities. In particular, apparatus and methods are desired which allow for the collection, containment and subsequent utilisation of substantially clean water that might otherwise be wasted.

00 8 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for conservation of substantially clean water for use in a bath or shower facility, said bath or shower facility having a pivotable shower-head and at least one fixed wall, the apparatus including a water receptacle having a hollow interior volume and an upwardly-directed opening, said receptacle having a first configuration 00 and a second configuration, wherein in said first configuration water is able to be via the water receptacle for reuse or recycling, and in said second N configuration water is not captured via the receptacle for reuse or recycling, 00 wherein the apparatus is adapted to be installed on or in the fixed wall of Sthe bath or shower facility at a level below the pivotable shower-head, and whereby substantially clean water emitted from the shower-head may be captured via the water receptacle when in the first configuration depending upon an orientation of the pivotable shower-head.

Advantageously, when the receptacle is in the first configuration water may be captured thereby, and collected for later use. A user of the bath or shower facility may therefore direct the pivotable shower-head such that a proportion of water emitted therefrom is potentially captured via the receptacle. By operating the receptacle into the first configuration during periods when the water is substantially clean, such as while waiting for the shower water to warm to an acceptable temperature, or during activities such as lathering of soap or shampoo, the water-conservation apparatus collects a corresponding proportion of substantially clean water, for reuse or recycling, that would otherwise flow down the drain, and be wasted. During activities that result in significant contamination of the shower water by soap, shampoo and/or other impurities, the user may operate the receptacle into the second configuration, so as to prevent the entry therein by the contaminated water, thereby maintaining the relative cleanliness of the collected water.

In one preferred embodiment, the receptacle has an open position corresponding with the first configuration and a closed position corresponding with the second configuration, whereby in the open position water is able to enter the receptacle via the upwardly-directed opening, and in the closed position water is substantially prevented from entering the receptacle.

00 In particularly preferred embodiments, the water receptacle further includes an outlet for captured water which is disposed in a lower portion thereof, whereby water captured by the water receptacle when in the open position is directed to said outlet. A portable water container, such as a bucket or wheeled water wagon may be located beneath the outlet, or a hose, pipe or the like connected thereto, to enable subsequent transport of collected substantially clean

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water to a remote location for further use. Alternatively, the outlet may be to suitable plumbing connected to a permanent fixed storage tank.

N Such a fixed storage tank may itself be provided with additional plumbing and 00 other components, such as a pump, to enable the stored water to be used for Swatering of gardens, washing of vehicles, and other appropriate household applications.

In an alternative embodiment, the water receptacle includes first and second outlets disposed in a lower portion thereof, and at least one closure for selectively closing the first and second outlets, wherein: the first outlet when open directs water from the receptacle for reuse or recycling; and the second outlet when open directs water from the receptacle back into the bath or shower facility, whereby in said first configuration the first outlet is open and the second outlet is closed by the closure, and in said second configuration the first outlet is closed by the closure and the second outlet is open.

In preferred arrangements, the fixed wall is located adjacent to a wall to which the pivotable shower-head is affixed. In such arrangements, the pivotable shower-head may be oriented to one side, in order to direct substantially clean water emitted therefrom towards the water receptacle when in the first configuration.

In alternative arrangements the fixed wall may be located opposite to the wall to which the pivotable shower-head is affixed, or the pivotable shower-head may be affixed to the fixed wall above the water-conservation apparatus. In each such alternative arrangement, appropriate orientation of the pivotable shower-head enables a proportion of substantially clean water emitted therefrom to be captured when the receptacle is in the first configuration.

00 In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a rear panel having a substantially flat external surface suitable to be affixed to said fixed wall, for example using double-sided adhesive tape, a silicone-based adhesive, screws, bolts, and/or other suitable fixing means.

The rear panel may include an angled portion located above the upwardlydirected opening when the receptacle is in the open position, said angled portion 00 serving, in use, to deflect water incident thereon towards the upwardly-directed opening.

1 In one particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacle includes a cover 00 panel hingedly attached to an upper portion thereof, whereby the cover panel Smay be rotatably operated between respective open and closed positions corresponding with the first and second configurations.

In an alternative arrangement, the apparatus may be adapted to be installed within said fixed wall, such that when in a closed position the receptacle is substantially concealed behind the fixed wall, and when in an open position the upwardly-directed opening of the receptacle extends from the fixed wall into an interior space of the bath or shower facility.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of conservation of substantially clean water in a bath or shower facility having a pivotable showerhead and at least one fixed wall, the method including the steps of: providing on or in said fixed wall, at a level below the pivotable shower-head, a water-conservation apparatus including a receptacle having a hollow interior volume and an upwardly-directed opening, said receptacle operable into a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in said first configuration water is able to be captured via the water receptacle for reuse or recycling, and in said second configuration water is not captured via the receptacle for reuse or recycling; positioning the pivotable shower-head so as to direct a portion of a stream of water emitted therefrom towards the water-conservation apparatus and/or a region of the fixed wall located thereabove; operating the receptacle into said first configuration so as to capture water therein when the water reaching the receptacle is substantially clean; and 00 operating the receptacle into said second configuration so as to prevent water from entering therein when water reaching the receptacle is contaminated tby soap and/or other impurities.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of providing for the conservation of substantially clean water in a bath or shower facility having a pivotable shower-head and at least one fixed wall, the method including the steps 00 of: providing a water-conservation apparatus including a receptacle having a Shollow interior volume and an upwardly-directed opening, said receptacle 00 operable into a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in said first Sconfiguration water is able to be captured via the water receptacle for reuse or recycling, and in said second configuration water is not captured via the receptacle for reuse or recycling; and installing the water-conservation apparatus in or on said fixed wall at a level below the pivotable shower-head, whereby a user of the bath or shower facility, by positioning the pivotable shower-head so as to direct a portion of a stream of water emitted therefrom towards the water-conservation apparatus and/or a region of the fixed wall located thereabove, is able to operate the receptacle into said first configuration so as to capture water therein when water reaching the receptacle is substantially clean, and to operate the receptacle into said second configuration so as to prevent water from entering therein when water reaching the receptacle is contaminated by soap and/or other impurities.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which should not be considered to be limiting of the scope of the invention as defined in any of the preceding statements, or in any claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a water-conservation apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 00 Figure 2 illustrates the water-conservation apparatus of Figure 1, installed within a shower facility according to a first arrangement including a portable water storage device; Figure 3 illustrates the water-conservation apparatus of Figure 1 installed within a shower facility according to a second arrangement including a fixed water storage tank; 00 I- Figure 4 illustrates a water-conservation apparatus installed within a wall of shower facility in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; N and 00 Figure 5 illustrates a water-conservation apparatus in accordance with a N further alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 illustrates a water-conservation apparatus 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates the waterconservation apparatus 100 installed within a shower facility 200, wherein captured substantially clean water is contained within a portable water storage device 208. Figure 3 illustrates the water-conservation apparatus 100 installed within a shower facility 200, wherein captured substantially clean water is collected in a fixed water storage tank 308. The general construction and use of the water-conservation apparatus 100 will now be described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, elements, objects or fittings.

The water-conservation apparatus 100 is adapted for use in a shower facility 200, or equivalent, having a pivotable shower-head 202, and at least one fixed wall 204. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the shower facility 200 includes a fixed wall 204 adjacent to a wall 205 within which the pivotable shower-head 202 is fitted. However, as will be appreciated from the following description, the water-conservation apparatus could alternatively be installed on an opposing wall, or on the wall 205, subject to appropriate re-orientation of the pivotable showerhead 202. Accordingly, the drawings should not be considered in any way limiting of the use of the water-conservation apparatus 100 in this respect.

The water-conservation apparatus 100 includes a water receptacle 102 having a hollow interior volume. The apparatus 100 is also fitted with a cover 00 panel 104, having opened and closed positions with respect to an Supwardly-directed opening 106 of the water receptacle 102. Specifically, the cover panel 104 is hingedly attached to an upper portion of the receptacle 102 via hinges 108. As indicated by the arrows 110, the cover panel 104 may be rotatably operated between respective open and closed positions. When the cover panel 104 is in the closed, ie substantially horizontal, position water is oo substantially prevented from entering the receptacle 102 via the opening 106.

However, by rotating the hinged cover panel 104 into the open, ie substantially 1 vertical, position water is able to enter the receptacle 102 via the upwardlyo00 directed opening 106.

SAccordingly, the apparatus 100 has a first configuration, in which the cover panel 104 is in the open position, and a second configuration, in which the cover panel 104 is in the closed position. In the first configuration, water is able to be captured via the receptacle 102 for reuse or recycling, whereas in the second configuration, water is not so captured.

As will be appreciated, depending upon the design of the cover panel 104, a gap may exist behind the panel 104, eg adjacent to the hinges 108, which may permit the entry of small quantities of water even when in the closed position. In this case, sealing means, such as a plastic, rubber or silicone strip or similar (not shown) may be fitted on or adjacent to the rear edge of the panel.

The apparatus 100 may be manufactured from any suitable material, including appropriate plastics and/or metals (coated, if necessary, to reduce corrosion). Clear or tinted perspex has been found to be a particularly favourable choice, providing the required functionality and durability in combination with an attractive appearance, at reasonable cost.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the water-conservation apparatus 100 is installed on the fixed wall 204 of the shower facility 200 at a level below that of the pivotable shower-head 202. Accordingly, depending upon the orientation of the pivotable shower-head 202, water emitted from the shower-head 202 may be captured by the water receptacle 102 when the cover 104 is in the open position.

Specifically, by orienting the pivotable shower-head 202 such that a proportion of the water emitted therefrom is directed towards the apparatus 100 and/or a region 00 of the fixed wall 204 located thereabove (as indicated in Figure 3) water may be captured within the open receptacle 102.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the water-conservation apparatus 100 includes a rear panel 112 having a substantially flat external surface suitable to be affixed to the fixed wall 204. According to one preferred arrangement, for example, double-sided adhesive tape may be used to affix the oo 7- apparatus 100 to the wall 204, with a silicone adhesive optionally applied to more

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securely adhere the flat external surface of the rear panel 112 to the wall 204.

0 N However, alternative fixing means may be used. As illustrated, the rear panel oo 00 112 includes an angled portion 114 located above the opening 106 of the Sreceptacle 102, the angled portion 104 serving, in use, to deflect water incident thereon towards the upwardly-directed opening 106.

It is further particularly preferred that the water-conservation apparatus 100 include an outlet 116 disposed in a lower portion thereof, such as in the bottom surface of the receptacle 102, to enable outflow of water captured therein. When the cover panel 104 is in the open position, water entering the receptacle 102 via the opening 106 is directed to the outlet, from which the captured water may further be directed to a suitable container, tank or other water storage device.

For example, as shown in Figure 2, a hose, pipe, or the like is connected to the outlet 116, for directing the flow of captured water into a portable water storage device 208. The portable device 208 is a "water wagon", having wheels to facilitate transport of the water contained therein to a remote location for appropriate use, such as the washing or rinsing of vehicles, or the watering of household or garden plants.

In an alternative arrangement depicted in Figure 3, the outlet 116 is connected to fixed plumbing 306, which directs the flow of captured water to a fixed water storage tank 308. The water storage tank 308 may be provided with further plumbing, or other components such as a pump, to facilitate use of the stored water for purposes such as washing or rinsing vehicles, watering household plants, gardens, lawns, and so forth. The arrangements for storage and transport of water captured using the apparatus 100 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are intended to be exemplary only, and other suitable arrangements will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art.

00 Optionally, the outlet 116 may be provided with straining means (not shown), such as a wire or plastic mesh, perforated plug, or the like, to prevent the entry of larger impurities, such as hair, into the container, tank or other storage device.

A preferred method of use of the water-conservation apparatus 100, as installed and arranged, for example, according to the configurations illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 will now be described. Having installed the water-conservation

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apparatus 100 on the fixed wall 204, at a level bellow the pivotable shower-head

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N 202, and provided for collection of captured water flowing from the outlet 116, a 00

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user may position the pivotable shower-head 202 so as to direct at least a portion Nof the stream of water emitted therefrom towards the water-conservation apparatus 100 and/or a region of the fixed wall 204 located thereabove. As will be appreciated, according to a conventional configuration of a pivotable showerhead 202, the user directs the stream of water substantially towards themselves, whereby there may be a wastage of water directed generally around the user, and which does not make useful contact with their body. However, by adjustment of the orientation of the pivotable shower-head 202 towards the waterconservation apparatus 100 and/or the fixed wall 204, this volume of wasted water is biased towards the conservation apparatus 100, rather than being uniformly distributed around the user. Advantageously, this enables the collection of water that might otherwise be wasted within the receptacle 102.

In particular, when the user is engaged in activities within the shower facility 200 that do not result in significant contamination of the water, such as waiting for the water to reach an acceptable temperature or while scrubbing or lathering shampoo, soap or the like, the cover panel 104 over the receptacle 102 may be operated into the open (ie substantially vertical) position, so as to capture substantially clean water within the receptacle 102. However, when the user is engaged in activities resulting in significant contamination of water, such as rinsing soap, shampoo and/or other impurities from their body, the cover 104 may be operated into the closed (ie substantially horizontal) position, so as to prevent the contaminated water from entering into the receptacle 102.

Accordingly, the invention enables the collection, conservation, recycling and reuse of substantially clean water generated during showering, while allowing 00 for grey-water, which is suitable for a more limited range of uses, to be prevented from entering a storage device or tank, eg 208, 308. Naturally, a grey-water recycling facility may also be provided, for example via known plumbing arrangements connected to the normal drainage pipes of the shower facility 200.

Figure 4 illustrates a water-conservation apparatus 400, in accordance with an altemrnative embodiment, which is adapted to be installed within a wall 402 00 of a shower facility. In contrast with the embodiment 100 depicted in Figures 1 to S3, which is designed to be fixed to a wall 204 of an existing shower facility 200, 1 the alternative embodiment 400 is primarily intended for installation in new 00 shower facilities. Advantageously, the water-conservation apparatus 400 may be N completely concealed behind the wall 402 when not in use and/or when in the closed position, providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the shower facility.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the water-conservation apparatus 400 includes a water receptacle 404 having a hollow interior volume, operable between respective open and closed positions. As shown in the drawing, the apparatus 400 is in the open position. However, a suitable mechanical arrangement such as hinge means 406 is provided to enable the apparatus 400 to be operated into a corresponding closed position.

In the open position shown in Figure 4, the water receptacle 404 has an upwardly-directed opening that extends from the fixed wall 402 into the interior space of the shower facility. By appropriately orienting the pivotable shower-head 412, in like manner to that previously described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, substantially clean water emitted therefrom may be directed towards the waterconservation apparatus 400 and captured within the receptacle 404. Preferably, the apparatus 400 incudes an outlet connected to suitable fixed plumbing (not shown in the drawing), in like manner to the arrangement 306 illustrated in Figure 3 for collection of the substantially clean waste water within a suitable water storage tank. Again it is considered to be an advantage of the arrangement 400 that all of the relevant plumbing is wholly concealed from view, thus providing an overall more aesthetically pleasing visual effect.

It is possible to further reduce the visual impact of the water-conservation apparatus 400 by providing it with a front panel, or fagade, which is matched to 00 the surrounding fixed wall 402. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4, the fixed wall 402 is covered by tiles 408 and accordingly a matching tiled front panel or facade 410 is provided on the water-conservation apparatus 400. Thereby, when the apparatus 400 is operated into the closed position, the front panel or facade 410 lends in with the surrounding tiles 408 in a visually inconspicuous manner.

Figure 5 illustrates a water conservation apparatus 500 in accordance with 00

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a further alternative embodiment of the invention. The embodiment 500 includes

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Sa water receptacle 502, with first and second outlets 504, 506 disposed in a lower N portion thereof. A closure 508 is provided, which may be used to selectively 00oo close the first or second outlet. It will be appreciated that a second closure may Salso be provided, such that each outlet has its own, separate, closure. Suitable closures include rubber or plastic stoppers, plugs, screw-caps, and so forth.

In use, the first outlet 504 is directed to a suitable container, tank, or storage device, as previously described, for reuse or recycling. The second outlet 506 remains open to the interior of the bath or shower facility, such that, when open, water is returned from the receptacle back into the bath or shower facility.

Accordingly, the apparatus 500 has first and second configurations, as follows. In the first configuration the user operates the closure 508 to close the second outlet 506, while leaving the first outlet 504 open. Water is then captured via the receptacle 502 for reuse or recycling. In the second configuration, the user operates the closure 508 to close the first outlet 504, while leaving the second outlet 506 open, such that water entering the receptacle 502 is returned to the bath or shower.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that variations of the water-conservation apparatus and corresponding methods of installation and use are possible in accordance with the invention, which is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein.

Variations, modifications and equivalents that are apparent to persons of skill in the art, will therefore be understood also to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus for conservation of substantially clean water for use in a bath or shower facility, said bath or shower facility having a pivotable shower-head and at least one fixed wall, the apparatus including a water receptacle having a hollow interior volume 00 and an upwardly-directed opening, said receptacle having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in said first configuration water is able to be 0 N captured via the water receptacle for reuse or recycling, and in said second 00 0 configuration water is not captured via the receptacle for reuse or recycling, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be installed on or in the fixed wall of the bath or shower facility at a level below the pivotable shower-head, and whereby substantially clean water emitted from the shower-head may be captured via the water receptacle when in the first configuration depending upon an orientation of the pivotable shower-head.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receptacle has an open position corresponding with the first configuration and a closed position corresponding with the second configuration, whereby in the open position water is able to enter the receptacle via the upwardly-directed opening, and in the closed position water is substantially prevented from entering the receptacle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the water receptacle further includes an outlet disposed in a lower portion thereof, whereby water captured by the water receptacle when in the open position is directed to said outlet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water receptacle includes first and second outlets disposed in a lower portion thereof, and at least one closure for selectively closing the first and second outlets, wherein: the first outlet when open directs water from the receptacle for reuse or recycling; and the second outlet when open directs water from the receptacle back into the bath or shower facility, 00 O whereby in said first configuration the first outlet is open and the second Soutlet is closed by the closure, and in said second configuration the first outlet is closed by the closure and the second outlet is open.

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the fixed wall is located adjacent to a wall to which the pivotable shower-head is affixed. 00 oo S

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fixed wall is located opposite to a wall to which the pivotable shower-head is affixed. 00

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the pivotable shower-head is affixed to the fixed wall.

8. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims further including a rear panel having a substantially flat external surface suitable to be affixed to said fixed wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the rear panel includes an angled portion located above the upwardly-directed opening, said angled portion serving, in use, to deflect water incident thereon towards the upwardly-directed opening.

The apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the receptacle includes a cover panel hingedly attached to an upper portion thereof, whereby the cover panel may be rotatably operated between said open and closed positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3 which is adapted to be installed within said fixed wall, such that within the closed position the receptacle is substantially concealed behind the fixed wall, and when in the open position the upwardly- directed opening of the receptacle extends from the fixed wall into an interior space of the bath or shower facility.

12. A method of conservation of substantially clean water in a bath or shower facility having a pivotable shower-head and at least one fixed wall, the method including the steps of: 00 providing on or in said fixed wall, at a level below the pivotable shower-head, a water-conservation apparatus including a receptacle having a hollow interior volume and an upwardly-directed opening, said receptacle operable into a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in said first configuration water is able to be captured via the water receptacle for reuse or recycling, and in said second configuration water is not captured via the 00 receptacle for reuse or recycling; (N positioning the pivotable shower-head so as to direct a portion of a stream 0 N of water emitted therefrom towards the water-conservation apparatus and/or a 00 region of the fixed wall located thereabove; Noperating the receptacle into said first configuration so as to capture water therein when the water reaching the receptacle is substantially clean; and operating the receptacle into said second configuration so as to prevent water from entering therein when water reaching the receptacle is contaminated by soap and/or other impurities.

13. A method of providing for the conservation of substantially clean water in a bath or shower facility having a pivotable shower-head and at least one fixed wall, the method including the steps of: providing a water-conservation apparatus including a receptacle having a hollow interior volume and an upwardly-directed opening, said receptacle operable into a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in said first configuration water is able to be captured via the water receptacle for reuse or recycling, and in said second configuration water is not captured via the receptacle for reuse or recycling; and installing the water-conservation apparatus in or on said fixed wall at a level below the pivotable shower-head, whereby a user of the bath or shower facility, by positioning the pivotable shower-head so as to direct a portion of a stream of water emitted therefrom towards the water-conservation apparatus and/or a region of the fixed wall located thereabove, is able to operate the receptacle into said first configuration so as to capture water therein when water reaching the receptacle is substantially clean, and to operate the receptacle into said second configuration so as to 16 prevent water from entering therein when water reaching the receptacle is contaminated by soap and/or other impurities. WATER WISE WORLD PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS