Diverter apparatus and method for saving fresh water

A method of saving a given amount of the initial flow of fresh water from a water-discharging means comprising the steps of:

• connecting a manually operated diverter valve to a fresh hot-water-discharging means;
• connecting one end of a hose to said diverter valve;
• connecting the opposite end of said hose to a storage container located downstream of said diverter valve;
• running the fresh water through said hot-water-discharging means;
• and
• manually operating said diverter valve to divert the initial flow of cold fresh water from said hot water-discharge means to said storage container for storage therein.

A diverter-valve apparatus for recovering fresh waste water from a fresh-water-discharging means, wherein said diverter-valve apparatus comprises in combination:

• a storage container formed from a collapsible plastic material having an inlet neck formed in one side of said storage container to receive fresh water, and an outlet neck formed in said storage container on the opposite side from that of said inlet neck;
• a diverter valve having an inlet port and first and second outlet ports through which water is selectively discharged from one of said outlet ports, said inlet port being mounted to a fresh water-discharging means, wherein said diverter valve includes a two-way flow-valve stem, whereby water is selectively diverted from flowing through said first outlet port so as to flow through said second outlet port into said inlet neck of said storage container whereby a selective amount of fresh water is diverted into said container for storage;
• dispensing means mounted on said outlet neck of said storage container and defined by a cap member having a spigot member, whereby water is dispensed from said spigot as needed;
• a hose removably connected between said diverter valve and said inlet neck of said storage container, said hose including at least one coupling nut mount to one end of said hose, whereby said hose is coupled to said second outlet port of said diverter valve;
• a quick-disconnect means interposed between said inlet neck of said container and one end of said hose, wherein said quick-disconnect means comprises:
• a female disconnect member secured in said inlet neck of said container;
• a male disconnect member attached to one end of said hose, whereby said hose is removable from said container when said container is filled with fresh waste water diverted from the discharge means, and wherein said female disconnect member includes a one-way valve means, whereby water stored in said container can not be dispensed from said inlet neck when said male disconnect member is removed from said female disconnect member.