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Why we Really Need to Look After Water: How Much of Earth's Water Is Drinkable?

While Earth holds 1.386 billion km3 of water, only about 0.007% of it is readily available for human consumption. This means that out of all the water on Earth, only a very small fraction is safe and accessible as drinking water.

Author

Shaun Warren
February 06, 2025

While Earth holds 1.386 billion km³ of water, only about 0.007% of it is readily available for human consumption. This means that out of all the water on Earth, only a very small fraction is safe and accessible as drinking water.

Breakdown of Earth's Water and Its Drinkability:

Water Source

Percentage of Total Water

Drinkable?

Oceans & Seas (Saltwater)

96.5%

❌ No (unless desalinated)

Glaciers & Ice Caps

1.74%

✅ Yes, but mostly inaccessible

Groundwater

1.69%

✅ Some is drinkable, but deep reserves may be saline or contaminated

Lakes & Rivers (Surface Water)

0.013%

✅ Main source of drinking water

Atmospheric Water

0.001%

✅ Possible, but impractical

Key Facts:

  • Freshwater makes up only 2.5% of the Earth's total water.

  • About 70% of freshwater is locked in glaciers and ice caps, making it mostly inaccessible.

  • Groundwater accounts for 30% of freshwater, but not all of it is safe for consumption.

  • Only about 1.2% of freshwater (or 0.007% of total water) is available for human use in lakes, rivers, and shallow groundwater.

Challenges to Drinking Water Accessibility:

  1. Pollution: Many freshwater sources are contaminated by industrial waste, chemicals, and microplastics.

  2. Climate Change: Altered rainfall patterns and glacier melting affect water availability.

  3. Overuse: Excessive groundwater extraction is depleting reserves faster than they can be replenished.

  4. Desalination as a Solution? While desalination can convert seawater into drinkable water, it is energy-intensive and expensive.

Conclusion:

Although Earth has an abundance of water, only a tiny fraction is readily drinkable. Ensuring sustainable water management is crucial for maintaining access to clean drinking water for future generations.