The Water Issue 70% of the earth's surface is covered by oceans, which contain over 97% of the water on the Earth(saltwater) Fresh Water is approximately 3% soi(0.41%) Rivers and lakes (0.82%) gRoundwater(20.58%) Of the freshwater found on Ice and glacier 7819%) Earth, only a tiny fraction is available for use Rivers anerlakes(0.02%)-T Soil(0.01%) Groundwater(0.50%) ice and glaciers(1.90%) Potable water: Unpolluted fresh water. suitable for Oceans (9757% drinking Total waterThe Water Issue • 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans, which contain over 97% of the water on the Earth (saltwater). – Fresh Water is approximately 3% Of the freshwater found on Earth, only a tiny fraction is available for use. • Potable water: Unpolluted, fresh water, suitable for drinking