Distribution of water on the earth Saline lakes (. 003% 0.01 Oceans 97.2% Polar ice Freshwater d 2.8% glaciers 0.3% 2% Saltwater 0.12% 0.167% Underground water Only a small percentage(<3%)of water on Earth is fresh water. Lakes and rivers account for just Over0 1% of the earth's total waterDistribution of Water on the Earth Only a small percentage (<3%) of water on Earth is fresh water. Lakes and rivers account for just 0ver 0.1% of the earth’s total water