what's the percentage of earth's water is drinkeable?

Drinkable water accounts for less than 3 percent of the Earth’s total supply.

Source(s): http://www.usgs.gov/sci_challenge.html

The figures cited below are from 1984; with the dangers of Global Warming and the melting of glaciers everywhere, including the polar ice caps and on Greenland and Antartica, the numbers quoted are no longer definitive.

The earth has an abundance of water, but unfortunately, only a small percentage, about 0.3%, has characteristics usefull for its use by humans. The other 99.7% is in the oceans, soils, icecaps or present in the atmosphere. Moeover, much of the previously mentioned 0.3% is unattainable. Most of the water used by humans comes from rivers, lakes or the underground provided these met the required quality parameters. The rivers and lakes which are visible bodies of water are referred to as surface water.The majority of fresh water is actually found underground as soil moisture and in aquifers.

Following the U.S. Geological Survey, 1984, the different forms in which the water is found in our planet are the following:

Ocean water: 97.2%

Glaciers and other ice: 2.15%

Ground water: 0.61%

Fresh water lakes: 0.9%

Inland seas: 0.8%

Soil Moisture: 0.5%

Atmosphere: 0.1%

Rivers: 0.01%

About 3 Km3 per day of water are needed for human uses. Surface water is the easiest to reach and the most common source of water, including potable water. Surface water provides as much as the 80 percent of the water used on a daily basis. Problems, however, exist due to the increasing contamination of the water bodies thus further limiting the amount of water available for human consumption. Water is found in many different forms and in many different places. While the amounts of water that exist seem to be plentiful, the availability of the water for human necessities is limited.

Oceans, which are the largest source of surface water, comprise approximately 97 percent of the earth’s surface water. However, since the oceans have high salinity, the water is not useful as drinking water. Efforts have been made to remove the salt from the water (desalination), but this is a rather costly endeavor. The oceans also play a vital role in the hydrologic cycle, in regulating the global climate, and in providing habitats for thousands of marine species.

Glaciers and icecaps cover 10% of the earth’s surface. Glaciers melting can have a tremendous effect on the sea level. If all of the glaciers were to melt today, the rise of the sea would be about 78 meters.

Ground water is a very plentiful source of fresh water, it must be a protected resource. Once an aquifer is contaminated with chemicals or petroleum, it is difficult, if not impossible, to clean up. Many times, surface water also is in direct contact with underground water and this can create a problem with contamination of the ground water. There is also the problem of saltwater intrusion (present in coastal regions) where over-pumping of the ground water draws the denser saltwater up into the aquifer. So, protection of the ground water should be a high priority as the population on Earth continues to rise and potable water becomes a valuable resource.

Source(s): http://theblueplanetproject.blogspot.com/25_03_0…

In my opinion the whole lot of 70% of water can be made drinkable only if we wish to do so.

You can never be accurate in how much is left for utility but its only on us to make this earth a better place to live in every respect.Curbing water pollution is the best way to save water and make it drinkable indirectly.As responsible humans we need to take heed of the alarming state.

I think it’s like 10% or 5% that is fresh water and the rest is all salt water that can be turned in to drinkable water but this can cost more than billions of dollars.

Actually, Its less than 1%. Over 75% of water is in oceans, and most of others in water steams and lakes; however, like the ocean water, that too isn’t drinkable. So, less than 1% of the entire water on planet is the water we use for drinking, and for everyday usage.

Source(s): I am an Environmental minor in college, so I had know it for test.

80

1%

10%

40 percent of earth’s water is drinkable

1 percent