The Process of Water Sustainability Looking down on this planet from an outsiders perspective, it would be appear that Earth is composed mostly of land. However through years of research scientists have discovered that Earth is actually primarily made up of water. Approximately seventy one percent of the surface is covered by water, with only three percent of this being fresh water. This small percentage is primarily seen on the surface in snow banks and ice caps. While water has primarily been viewed as a definitive renewable resource for much of human history this new understanding that roughly one percent of the total water on all of planet Earth is both accessible and fresh usable water. One would think that because water is such a vital resource that almost all of the life on Earth depends on; more people would be aware of how it is used and recognize there is not an unlimited supply. However, like other natural resources, it is becoming a precious commodity that is being abused and over used. Thomas Fuller once pointed out, "we never know the worth of water till the well is dry," perfectly describing the current water crisis. With the rapid growth of populations combined with the nonchalant mindsets of many individuals, an even greater problem is stemming from the distribution of water amongst the planets ever expanding populations. If the problems from harmful pollutants, limited education and general misuse of the global water system continues to be neglected and overlooked, there will be a negative effect felt by all life on Earth. Many would argue that there is an abundance of water in the oceans that surround continents, lakes that dot landscapes, as well as rivers and streams that carve through Earth's mountains. Although this is true of that vast amount, of those sources only around three percent are able to create water that is safe and sustainable