Freshwater Distribution on Earth

Of Earth's freshwater, approximately 68-69% exists as ice caps and glaciers. Of the remaining ~30-32%, groundwater constitutes about 98% (excluding ice), making it the largest proportion of accessible freshwater. Freshwater lakes and rivers comprise only about 0.3% of total freshwater. Atmospheric moisture and clouds represent a smaller fraction. Soil moisture is even more negligible. Therefore, after ice caps and glaciers, groundwater is by far the largest freshwater reserve, though much of it is not easily accessible for human use.