Final answer:
The rivers contain only 0.02% of the Earth's total water. The majority of Earth's water is saltwater in oceans, and accessible freshwater is largely trapped in glaciers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of water in the rivers is only 0.02% of the total water of the earth. While it is true that water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, nearly 97% of this water is saltwater in the oceans.
Out of the remaining freshwater, which comprises about 2.5% of the total, a large portion, approximately 68%, is frozen in glaciers. As a result, the freshwater in rivers that is readily accessible for our use is a very small quantity relative to the total amount of water on Earth.
The challenges in accessing clean drinking water arise from a combination of factors. Although there is a vast amount of water available on the planet, most of it is not suitable for human consumption without treatment.
Freshwater sources are limited, and many are not directly usable without processes such as rainwater harvesting or desalination. Furthermore, complications due to pollution, overuse, and distribution inequities mean many communities face serious water shortages.