Quantitative aspect of water- Water covers 71% of the earths surface. 97% of the total surface water of earth exists in oceans and 2.4 % is in the form of glaciers and polar ice caps. Around 1.6% of water is found below the surface in the form of groundwater. Rivers, lakes and ponds make up 0.6 % of water. Total renewable water resources of India are 1897 sq km per annum.Qualitative aspect of water- 96.5% of water is found in oceans and is unfit for human consumption. 2.5% is freshwater of which 70 % is mostly locked in polar regions in the form of ice while 30 percent is found in underground aquifers. Thus, only a small percentage of water is actually fit and accessible for human consumption. Water rescources are being over-utilised due to pressure of population and different requirements like agriculture, industries and household uses. This has led to depletion of water resources, particularly groundwater. Industrial pollution has also placed a great burden on water resources.
