How Much Freshwater Exists on Earth?

Most people know Earth has more saltwater than freshwater — but how much more?

On Water Street outside of the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., we asked visitors to guess.

Answers ranged from 70% freshwater to 15%, 10%, and even 2%.

The most common answer hovered around 20%, likely because many people remember that oceans cover about 70% of the planet’s surface.

Here’s the reality: only about 2.5% of Earth’s water is freshwater — and less than 1% of that is easily accessible in rivers, lakes, and shallow groundwater.

A small number with big implications for how carefully water has to be managed.

What question should we ask next?

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