Where does the world's freswater come from?

Mountains provide freshwater for 2 billion people around the world.
Protecting these natural reservoirs is crucial for ensuring sustainable water access.

The world's freshwater originates from precipitation (rain, snow, and mist), which is stored in three main types of reservoirs: glaciers and ice caps, groundwater, and surface water (lakes, rivers, and wetlands). The majority of freshwater is locked in ice caps, while groundwater is the largest readily available source, followed by surface water.

The Three Sources of freshwater are

1. Glaciers and ice caps: Over two-thirds of the world's freshwater is frozen in glaciers and ice caps, primarily in Antarctica and Greenland.
2. Groundwater: Freshwater is stored underground in porous rock and soil in what are known as aquifers. It is the largest source of accessible freshwater and is often a more stable source than surface water, especially in arid climates.
3. Surface water: This includes rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. While this is a vital source for daily human use, it accounts for only a small fraction of the total freshwater on Earth.

How it gets there?

It get there by the

• The water cycle: The process begins with precipitation, which is the original source of almost all fresh water.
• Accumulation: This precipitation collects on the surface, forming lakes and rivers, or infiltrates into the ground to become groundwater. Snowfall can accumulate over thousands of years to form glaciers.
• Resupply: The process is continuous, with freshwater bodies being resupplied by precipitation through the water cycle.

Let’s take action to safeguard our mountains and the fresh water they provide for future generations.

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