DYNAMIC WATER RECYCLING SHOWER SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS

Abstract

A dynamic shower system comprises a user actuator indicating said user's desire to use recycled water during the shower, a shower head, a drain, a first valve capable of selecting water to be emitted from said shower head from a potable water source or water from a mixture of potable water and recycled water from said drain, and a processor, said processor in communication with said user actuator and said first valve wherein said first valve is capable of being controlled by said processor. The shower system may be capable of dynamically switching between said potable water only and said mixture of potable and recycled water depending upon the certain conditions being detected by said processor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from previously filed application Ser. No. 61/600,783 filed Feb. 20, 2012 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

One source of potential water and energy savings is the recycling of water used in showers—both in the home and in hotels. Typically, water that comes out of a shower head is potable water from local water treatment facilities. Once the water exits the shower head and rinses the bather (who may have used shampoo, conditioner and soaps of all types), the water collected at the shower drain is deemed “gray water”—that is, water that may be used for some purposes, such as irrigation or other uses, but not for others such as for human consumption.

The prior art is replete with designs and plans for water recycling showers. The main goal is to save on the water used from potable water for showers, the energy it takes to pump it to the shower head, the energy it takes to heat the shower water—or a combination of all of the above. For example, the following are designs for such recycling showers: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,040 to Palmer, issued on Jun. 1, 1982 and entitled “SELF-CONTAINED, COMPACT TOWABLE FACILITY HAVING MAXIMIZED BALANCED WATER STORAGE RAIN WATER COLLECTION AND WASTE WATERISOLATION SYSTEMS”; (2) U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,709 to Houser et al., issued on May 9, 1989 and entitled “RECIRCULATING SHOWER USING LIMITED WATER SUPPLY”; (3) U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,364 to Keeler, issued on Jan. 16, 1990 and entitled “WATER-RECYCLING SHOWER”; (4) U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,448 to Lee, issued on Oct. 11, 1994 and entitled “WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM USING SPENT RECYCLED WATER WITH FRESH WATER”; (5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,890 to Jarocki, issued on Oct. 24, 1995 and entitled “WATER BLENDING AND RECYCLING APPARATUS”; (6) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0196156 to Brewin published on Aug. 21, 2008 and entitled “RECIRCULATING SHOWER SYSTEM”—all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the claimed subject matter. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter nor delineate the scope of the subject innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the claimed subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Some embodiments of the present application provide for systems and/or methods for a dynamic shower system. A dynamic shower system comprises a user actuator indicating said user's desire to use recycled water during the shower, a shower head, a drain, a first valve capable of selecting water to be emitted from said shower head from a potable water source or water from a mixture of potable water and recycled water from said drain, and a processor, said processor in communication with said user actuator and said first valve wherein said first valve is capable of being controlled by said processor. In some embodiments, the shower system may be capable of dynamically switching between said potable water only and said mixture of potable and recycled water depending upon the certain conditions being detected by said processor.

Other features and aspects of the present system are presented below in the Detailed Description when read in connection with the drawings presented within this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 is one embodiment of a shower wall of a dynamic water recycling shower as made according to the present application.

FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a dynamic water recycling shower as made according to the present application.

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of a dynamic water recycling shower as made according to the present application.

FIG. 4 is one control process for a dynamic water recycling shower as made according to the present application.

FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of control process as may be employed by a dynamic water recycling shower.

FIG. 6 is yet another embodiment of a dynamic water recycling shower as made according to the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As utilized herein, terms “component,” “system,” “interface,” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware. For example, a component can be a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

The claimed subject matter is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject innovation.

Introduction

Even with numerous previous attempts, recirculating and/or recycling showers have not caught on with the public in general and with hotels in particular. Hotels have a keen interest in saving water and energy usage where possible—and where such saving would not be objectionable to their guests.

In recent times, hotels have promoted the re-use of towels by their guests to save on water and energy usage. In many hotels, signs are posted to notify their guests that—if the guests hang up used towels (as opposed to leaving used towels on the floor), it will be an indication to the hotel's maid service that these towels will not be replaced during their daily cleaning. Some hotels have considered this policy to have a positive impact on the hotel's image as a “green conscious” business—in hopes that persons who are similarly green-minded would choose to stay at such hotels.

There may be potential guests who might be squeamish about the prospect of using a shower that recycles water from—not only their own shower in real-time; but also water used by previous guests that might be stored in a tank holding recycled water. Whether these fears and/or concerns are well-founded or not, some hotels may consider this to be too risky to their bottom-line if such people opt not to stay at their hotels. Home owners who install such systems themselves may not harbor such fears; but might fear that it may have an impact on those who might consider subsequently purchasing the property.

In one embodiment of a recycling shower system made in accordance with the principles of the present application, an optional switch (e.g., real or soft switch) and/or some other means of voluntary activation (e.g. knob, button, voice-activated command, etc.) (“recycle actuator”) of the system may be made available to the guest. In this embodiment, the guest has the discretion as to whether to help save water and energy by activating the system—or completely opt-out with the knowledge that the guest's shower will be performed entirely with potable water in the normal course.

FIG. 1 depicts several embodiments of a shower wall 100 employed by a dynamic water recycling shower system made in accordance with the principles of the present application. As may be seen, shower wall 100 is not unlike a typical shower wall, comprising shower head 102, hot water knob 104a, cold water knob 104b. In addition, shower wall is showing two possible embodiments of a guest/user control panel. In one embodiment, the shower may have switch 106 (possibly water tight or other protection, so as to avoid electrocution) which allows the guest/user to voluntarily select to recycle and/or recirculate water from the shower. In another embodiment, the shower may have a panel with buttons (e.g. ON 108a, OFF 108b, PAUSE 108c or the like—to control the recycling functions as noted herein). In addition, there may be a bank of LED lights 108d that indicate what mode the shower is in fact operating. The LEDS (or other visual or other sensory indications) may be of different colors and may have modes of illumination—e.g. steady illumination (indicating current operating mode) or blinking illumination (indicating a changing operating mode—current or pending). It will be appreciated that the recycling actuator may be affected by other systems or means to signal to the system that the guest/user desires to participate in re-using water from the shower catch drain.

In another embodiment, such a recycle actuator may possibly be used by the guest/user to toggle such recycling mode ON or OFF during the shower. For example, the switch, button or other signal means may be toggled to indicate that the guest/user may want to opt-in/opt-out dynamically over time. This may be desirable, if the guest/user does not want to use recycled water at various times during the shower. For example, the guest/user may not want to use recycled water during the times that shampoo, conditioner, or other soap is being applied and rinsed off. Other times may also be appropriate, if for example, the guest/user is discharging bodily fluids of some form.

Various Shower System Embodiments

FIG. 2 depicts merely one possible embodiment of a dynamic shower system. Shower system may comprise a shower head 202 from which water from potable water source 206, recycled water from drain 212—or a dynamic combination of both sources (depending on the operating mode of the system) may be mixed and/or flowing. Potable water source 206 may also comprise a pump or other mechanism to induce the flow of water to the shower head. In this FIG. 2, solid lines (e.g. 204) indicate water piping, the solid dashed line (208) indicates the floor of the shower and dot-dashed lines (e.g 216) indicate signal and control lines from CPU and/or any other processor 214. In one embodiment, the drain should have enough water in a catch basin or other receptacle in order to deliver up to a desired amount of recycled water back up to the shower head. If an existing shower is being installed and/or retrofitted with a dynamic water recycling shower system and the existing drain does not hold a sufficient amount of water, then a separate hold vessel or tank may be installed. In another embodiment, even if the drain does not have a holding vessel, a dynamic recycling shower system should be able to capture enough water to recycle back to the shower head at a suitable junction or valve, such as 219.

Guest/user panel 210 allows the guest/user to indicate whether or not to participate in the use of recycled water during his/her shower—or more particularly, when to opt-in, opt-out (according to the guest/user's knowledge as to whether soap, bodily fluids or the like are currently/likely to be discharged in near or real time). CPU 214 monitors such commands and may act accordingly.

As will be discussed below in connection with some embodiments of controls of the system, it is possible to start recycling shower water after an initial condition is met. Such an initial condition might be the expiration of a timer (e.g. an initial time after the shower has started—e.g. 1 to 5 minutes after starting the shower—likely a period of time after the guest/user has used the soap and shampoo/conditioners, and the water now flowing over the guest/user is just for its relaxing effects); or a testing condition (e.g. a sensor detecting changes in conductivity or pH or some other condition that detects soap, conditioner, shampoo, bodily fluids or the like in the drain water) such that the water is likely clean (e.g., and not brackish or the like). Another initial condition could be that the guest/user activates a switch or other actuator to signal to the system that the guest/user believes that his/her shower is finished with soap, etc and/or that the water is of sufficiently good quality. Such initial condition could of course be a combination of such conditions—e.g. the expiration of an initial timer at start of the shower and the indication that the water is likely clean. Such a timer might be kept by the clock in the CPU or a separate timer may be provided. In addition, the system might set a threshold level of conductivity, pH level or some chemical composition by which the system might ascertain that the water quality is degraded or improved, sufficiently in either state, such that the system (e.g. CPU control of valves or the like) may select water from either potable water source or a mix of potable water and recycled drain water to whatever proportion is desired.

Optional sensors 218 could be placed near the drain and testing such water conditions. Signals from these optional sensors may be read and acted upon by CPU and/or processor. If water is deemed “recyclable” by the CPU, CPU may control a valve 219 to suitably divert the drain water from going to Gray Water Out (that is, the normal drainage out of the hotel or home) to the direction of water recycling. Such flow may be total—that is, the CPU may control the valve such that all of the water is being recycled from drain. However, it is also possible for the CPU to specify some proportion of the drain water going to Gray Water Out and some proportion of the drain water going to recycling.

Recycling water may be helped along by optional pump 220 or any other suitable system or method for moving water along—possibly against the flow of gravity (as drain water would need to move at least the distance from the drain to the shower head). Other systems might suffice here, such as one based on Bernouilli's principle or by some other suitable system or method. Alternatively, another valve 222 may be nearly the same level as the piped drain water and therefore, as the drain water is made to mix with the potable water (under CPU control), no pump is needed. As water is sent to the shower head, other optional sensors 224 may be placed in the path to detect water conditions, such as temperature (for proper control by the CPU), conductivity, chemical presence or the like.

FIG. 3 is another schematic embodiment of a dynamic water recycling shower system. In FIG. 3, solid lines indicate water piping, dash-dotted lines indicate lines of signal and/or control, to and/or from CPU or other processor. Lines with arrows (e.g., 302a, 302b, 303 304) indicate the possible direction of a flow of water, depending upon the mode in which the shower system is operating.

For example, one mode (302a) may be construed as “ordinary shower” mode. In this mode, the flow of water proceeds from potable water source 206 only, to shower head 202, to drain 212 and through valve 219—down to gray water out, as flow 303. This is typically how a shower runs—i.e. without recycling. Another mode of water flow might be construed as “recycling shower”. The water flow to shower head 202 might include flow 302a and flow 302b—in some relative proportion that may be controlled by CPU via valve 222 which may mix flows 302a and 302b as desired. For merely one example, flow in “recycling shower” mode might be a mixture of 80% from potable water and 20% from drain water. Other mixtures are of course possible and the present application encompasses these other mixtures. Such mixtures may even be controlled dynamically by the CPU, according to its control and possibly in response to inputs from guest/user and/or sensors.

At the drain, flow 302b might itself be a mixture of some water being recycled and some water being allowed to proceed to Gray Water Out. As with the mixture at the shower head discussed above, the proportion of water being recycled or going to Gray Water Out may be dynamically controlled by to CPU, according to its controls and possibly in response to inputs form guest/user and/or sensors.

Another possible (and optional) mode might be pre- or post-washing and/or cleaning step, as desired between showers. This step is denoted by dashed line 304 and the flow of water is indicated by its arrow. In this mode—either before or after a shower, the system may rinse and clean its recycling portion and/or pipes by running potable water through valve 222 (as set by CPU) into the recycling pipes. Valve 219 may be set by CPU to send this rinsing water down to Gray Water Out. This washing step may give guest/user's some piece of mind that the system is self-cleaning and that may give some guest/users the impetus to use the recycling mode of the shower more often. It is also possible to use cleaning agents (ammonia, chlorine or the like) to sterilize the recycling portions by injecting these agents into a port 305 (or otherwise injected into flow 304) near the shower head. Additional cleaning may be achieved if valve 219 is closed (and possibly valve 222 when the recycling pipes are filled to a desired level) while cleaning agents in solution fill the recycling pipes for a desired period of time (e.g. 10-15 minutes) to allow a disinfecting process to complete.

Another embodiment of a dynamic shower system is shown in FIG. 3. Below valve 219, there may be optional features that might allow a hotel and/or other commercial or residential structure to re-use gray water of the shower system. When the shower is “recycling shower” mode, it may be assumed that the water being allowed to flow from the drain to Gray Water Out (as possibly shown in flow 302b) is “cleaner” than typical drain water from an ordinary shower. The reasons for this are potentially many fold: (1) if the shower system is voluntary (and the guest/user may toggle water usage between potable and recycled), then the guest/user is indicating that the water he/she is using to recycle is clean enough to run back over his/her body; (2) if the system starts the recycling water mode after an initial condition (e.g. the expiration of an initial timer and/or sensed water conditions), then it may be assumed that the initial conditions are such that time has gone by in which the guest/user has already used soap, shampoo and conditioners and that there are no bodily fluids running to the drain and (3) if suitable sensors are provided (e.g., 218 and/or 310), then the quality of the recycled water may be monitor as discussed herein.

With these assumptions, the water allowing to flow from drain to Gray Water Out is cleaner than at most other times—and hence, may be more suitable for certain gray water uses, like use for the initial soap cycle in the laundry of the hotel, commercial and/or residential structure. In this case, valve 312 may be controlled by CPU to send such water preferentially to Clean Gray Out—and at other times to Dirty Gray Water Out (where dirtier gray water is sent). To give an added measure of quality control, optional sensor 310 may be placed upstream of valve 312 to sense water quality conditions (e.g. conductivity, pH levels among other possible sensed conditions). Signals from such sensor may be sent to CPU for a decision to send the water preferentially to such Clean Gray Out.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of mixing recycled water with potable water source at valve 222, it would be possible to run a separate pipe from pump 220 and brought directly up to shower head 302′. In that way, there may be less opportunity for recycled water to contaminate potable water sources. In another embodiment, it would be possible to have a bifurcated shower head 302′—one portion accepting potable water into a first chamber (e.g., 301a) and another portion accepting recycled water into a second chamber (e.g., 301b). The two chambers would not allow mixing of potable and recycled water. In addition, each chamber would have exit ports for the water to leave the shower head and the bather would be bathed possibly with potable water, recycled water or a combination of both. Such a bifurcated shower head would tend to present less opportunity for recycled water to contaminate potable water sources. In such an embodiment, the mixing of potable water and recycled water happens as the water jets out of the bifurcated shower head—and not within the pipes themselves. This may be accomplished by valves 222a and 222b, possibly under processor control.

Other Various Shower System Control Embodiments

While some control embodiments have already been described above, the following discussion will detail other alternative embodiments of control systems and methods of a dynamic water recycling shower. It should also be appreciated that many other possible physical designs of a dynamic recycling shower system are possible and such variants are encompassed under the scope of this application. In one embodiment, it may be suitable to have a potable water portion of piping to deliver potable water to the shower head and a recycle water portion of piping to deliver recycled water from the drain to the shower head and some valve (or other suitable selection hardware) to dynamically control and mix such potable water and recycled water under processor control.

FIG. 4 is merely one embodiment of a control process that may be employed by a dynamic water recycling shower made in accordance with the principles of the present application. This control process may comprise computer readable code which is stored and/or otherwise accessible to, and executable upon, the CPU or other processors implementing the system. It should be appreciated that the CPU/processors may be located nearly anywhere. For example, in a hotel, the CPU/processors may be located in a separate control room of the hotel and data regarding water usage may be made available to hotel management, to see how much water is being used/recycled and saved. Such data may allow for a reprogramming of the shower system—depending on usage statistics.

The control process of FIG. 4 starts at 400. The guest/user may step into the shower and—depending on how the shower is configured—perform a set of tasks and/or commands. If the shower has separate water ON-OFF actuators (e.g. HOT and COLD water knobs to start the shower) and a separate RECYCLE actuators, then the user may start the shower—and at any time afterwards, may actuated the RECYCLE mode of the shower. Alternatively, the shower may merely have an ON-OFF actuator—and recycling mode occurs automatically under CPU/processor control. Of course, it may be desirable to give the guest/user an interface to toggle ON or OFF the recycling mode as well.

If the guest/user has an option to use the recycled water in the shower, the system may detect at 402 whether the user has so indicated. If the user has not so indicated, then the shower may proceed with water from potable sources at 404. Otherwise, the user may have indicated a willingness to use recycled water. In other embodiments, it may be the policy of the hotel not to give the user an option of indicating willingness to use recycled water. In such a case, the recycling shower may proceed as discussed herein—e.g. use recycled water after an initial time period and/or conditions of acceptable water quality is detected.

The system at this point may do several and optional steps. For example and as previously mentioned, it may be desirable to set an optional initial timer. The initial time period may desirable be such that it is likely that the user has finished shampooing, conditioning and soaping (and anything else that might degrade the water quality). Such a time period may be somewhere within one minute to five minutes—and such time period may be dynamically adjusted, depending on sensor data or known water use pattern of the user.

It may be part of the control policy to turn on the recycling system after an initial period of time has transpired. If such a timer has an initial period in which it would be reasonable for the guest/user to have initially used shampoos, soaps, etc. (e.g., in the range of 1 to 5 minutes), then the guest/user would have the assurance that the initial period is using only potable water. Once relatively clean in this fashion, it is more likely that the guest/user would not mind re-using the shower water after that initial period and hence, can take a luxurious shower—enjoying the hot water and relax—knowing that a percentage of the water employed is recycled. In one embodiment, the initial period of time is set and known to the guest/user. In another embodiment, the switch or signal means may allow the guest/user to set the initial period of time—or to manually switch to recycled water.

In addition, optional sensor may detect the quality of the water at the drain. Such sensors may detect conductivity, pH levels, other chemical composition tests that may inform the CPU of the quality of the drain water. At 410, the system may inquire as to whether these initial timers have expired and/or sensors have detected good quality water. These tests may make up a set of initial conditions to be met.

If such conditions are met, then the shower, under CPU control, may set the valves as may be implemented in the shower to mix potable water and recycled water from the drain as may be desired. While the shower is operating in the recycle mode, the system may detect a set of conditions—such as: has the user turned off the recycling system or have the sensors detected a degradation of water quality at step 414.

If such conditions are met at 414, then the system may switch to use only potable water at 416 (as may be accomplished by adjusting the valves under CPU control). As the shower continues, the system may detect whether the user has turned the recycling mode back ON or whether the water quality has improved at 418. If not, then the system may continue on with potable water. If so, then the system may return to a mix of potable and recycled water at 412.

FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of a particular use cycle of a dynamic water recycling shower system. At 502, the guest/user may turn on the shower and—either at the same time (if only one user control) or a later time (if there is a plurality of user controls e.g.—one for turning ON the water flow and one for turning ON the recycling mode)—turns ON the recycling shower. CPU receives such user signal and—after a set of initial conditions (e.g. timer and/or sensor data) are met—may send appropriate signals at 512 to the shower head valve, drain valve and or Gray Water Out (GWO) valve, to affect the recycling mode of the shower. Thereafter, the guest/user may send a signal at 508 to turn OFF the recycling shower (perhaps because the user intends to use soap that is past the initial time period—or knows that bodily fluids may be injected in the drain water). Alternatively, sensors may detect a degradation in the drain water quality at 510.

In either event, CPU may send out control signals to the shower head valve, drain valve and GWO valve to ensure that the user is receiving potable water—and that the drain water goes to conventional GWO (and not to the “cleaner” GWO port). Thereafter, the user may turn ON recycling and/or sensor may detect better quality water at 514 and/or 516 respectively. The CPU may then re-open the appropriate valves at 518.

At the time the guest/user turns OFF the shower, the CPU may turn OFF recycling by sending the appropriate signals to the shower head and drain valve at 524 and 526 respectively. Now, there may be an optional mode that the system may affect at this time—e.g., “rinse” mode. As the user is turning OFF the shower, the system may desirably turn off the recycled water and rinse the guest/user with potable water for a clean rinse for a desired time period (perhaps 10-30 seconds or the like). If the system has such a mode, then this water should proceed down the “clean” GWO piping and the system should set the appropriate valves to affect this.

What has been described above includes examples of the subject innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the subject innovation are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by the above described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary aspects of the claimed subject matter. In this regard, it will also be recognized that the innovation includes a system as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the acts and/or events of the various methods of the claimed subject matter.

In addition, while a particular feature of the subject innovation may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” and “including” and variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

Claims

1. A shower system that affects water recycling within said shower system for a user, said shower system comprising:

a shower head, said shower head emitting water;

a potable water pipe, said potable water pipe connected to a potable water source;

a drain for collecting the water emitted from said shower head;

a gray water out pipe, said gray water out pipe connected to said drain;

a recycle water pipe, said recycle water pipe connected to said drain;

a first valve, said first valve accepting as input water from said drain and said first valve capable of directing said drain water to said gray water out pipe or to said recycle shower water pipe and said first valve capable of being controlled by signals from a processor;

a second valve, said second valve accepting as inputs water from said potable water pipe and said recycle water pipe and said second valve capable of mixing water from said potable water pipe and said recycle water pipe, and said second valve in liquid communication with said shower head such that said mixed water is capable of emitting from said shower head and said second valve capable of being controlled by signals from a processor; and

a processor, said processor in communication with said first valve and said second valve and further wherein said processor is capable of controlling the flow of water through said first valve and said second valve to affect a set of operating modes of said shower system.

2. The shower system of claim 1 wherein said shower system further comprises:

a recycle actuator, said actuator being in signal communication with said processor and said actuator being capable of selected by user to indicate user's preference to use recycled water.

3. The shower system of claim 2 wherein said shower system further comprises:

a timer, said timer capable of detecting an initial time period after said user selects the use of recycled water; and

further wherein said shower system capable of selecting water only from said potable water source to be emitted from said shower head during said initial time period.

4. The shower system of claim 3 wherein said shower system is capable of selecting a mixture of water from said potable water source and water from said drain after the expiration of said initial time period.

5. The shower system of claim 1 wherein said shower system further comprises:

a sensor, said sensor in communication with said processor and said sensor capable of detecting at least one condition of water quality.

6. The shower system of claim 5 wherein further:

said sensor is sensing the water at the drain; and

said at least one condition of water quality that sensor is capable of detecting is one of a group, said group comprising: conductivity, pH level and chemical composition.

7. The shower system of claim 6 wherein said shower system is capable of selecting water only from said potable water source to be emitted from said shower head upon a signal of degraded water quality.

8. The shower system of claim 6 wherein said shower system is capable of selecting a mixture of water from said potable water source and water from said drain upon a signal of improved water quality.

9. The shower system of claim 6 wherein said shower system further comprises:

a clean gray water out pipe;

a dirty gray water out pipe;

a third valve, said third valve capable of being controlled by signals from a processor and wherein said third valve accepting as input water from said gray water out pipe and wherein said third valve outputting water to one of said clean gray water out pipe and said dirty gray water out pipe according to control signals from said processor.

10. The shower system of claim 9 wherein said third valve outputs water to said clean gray water out pipe if said sensor indicates a condition of acceptable water quality in the drain water.

11. A method for recycling water in a dynamic shower system, the steps of said method comprising:

detecting an indication from the user by a processor that said user desires to use recycled water during the shower;

setting an initial condition detectable by said processor such that, until said initial condition is met, water is selected from said potable water source only;

switching to a mixture of potable water and recycled water from said drain after said initial condition is met; and

dynamically switching between said potable water only and said mixture of potable and recycled water depending upon the subsequent conditions being detected by said processor.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said initial condition is at least one of a group, said group comprising: the expiration of an initial time period, an actuation signal from the user and the detection of a condition indicating acceptable water quality.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said subsequent condition is at least one of a group, said group comprising: an actuation signal from the user and the detection of a condition indicating water quality.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

cleaning the recycling water portion of said recycled portion of piping under control from said processor between showers of a set of users.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

selecting water only from potable water only for a desired period of time, after an indication of terminating the shower is received by the processor from the user.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

selectively sending water from drain to clean gray out piping according to conditions received by said processor.

17. A shower system that affects water recycling within said shower system for a user, said shower system comprising:

a bifurcated shower head, said bifurcated shower head emitting water comprising a first chamber and a second chamber;

a potable water pipe, said potable water pipe connected to a potable water source;

a drain for collecting the water emitted from said shower head;

a gray water out pipe, said gray water out pipe connected to said drain;

a recycle water pipe, said recycle water pipe connected to said drain;

a first valve, said first valve accepting as input water from said drain and said first valve capable of directing said drain water to said gray water out pipe or to said recycle shower water pipe and said first valve capable of being controlled by signals from a processor;

a second valve, said second valve accepting as input water from said potable water pipe, said second valve capable of sending water from said potable water pipe to said first chamber of said bifurcated shower head and said second valve capable of being controlled by signals from a processor;

a third valve, said third valve accepting as input water from said recycled water pipe, said third valve capable of sending water from said recycled water pipe to said second chamber of said bifurcated shower head and said third valve capable of being controlled by signals from a processor; and

a processor, said processor in communication with said first valve, said second value and said third valve and further wherein said processor is capable of controlling the flow of water through said first valve, said second valve and said third valve to affect a set of operating modes of said shower system.