While living here in Bangalore, I have had to adjust in many ways. Seattle and Bangalore have very different water systems, and learning to conserve water has been very important.
Someone from the United States uses on average about 3,800 liters of water per day, whereas an Indian citizen uses about 1,700 liters of water per day.
The first thing I noticed that was different in India is that household water from the faucet is not safe to drink. Water from the pipes is for bucket baths and washing hands, and there is a separate water tank on the ground floor of the building for filling water bottles and pitchers.
Bucket baths are the preferred way of showering to save water. Instead of using the overhead shower, you fill a bucket about halfway with clean water, and use a cup to pour water on yourself. Once you are wet, you soap up your body, and again use the cup to pour water on yourself to rinse. It is slower than a normal shower, but it uses very little water, about eight liters. After a few showers, you get a technique and figure out the best method.
I also wash my clothes by hand since coming to India, instead of using a washing machine.
