The statement that there is only 1% usable water on the planet is not entirely accurate. While it's true that a very small percentage of the Earth's water is readily accessible and usable for human consumption, the actual figure is closer to 2.5%. Here's a breakdown:

* Total Water on Earth: Approximately 96.5% of Earth's water is saltwater found in oceans.

* Freshwater: Only about 2.5% of Earth's water is freshwater, meaning it is not salty.

* Usable Freshwater: Out of that 2.5%, only about 1% is accessible and usable for human consumption. This includes freshwater lakes, rivers, and groundwater that is readily available.

Here's why the remaining 2.4% of freshwater isn't readily usable:

* Ice Caps and Glaciers: About 68.7% of the freshwater is locked up in ice caps and glaciers, making it difficult to access and use.

* Groundwater: About 30.1% of freshwater is groundwater, which is found underground. While it's a significant resource, accessing it can be challenging and expensive.

The 1% figure is often used to highlight the scarcity of usable freshwater due to the vast majority of Earth's water being saltwater or locked up in inaccessible forms. This emphasizes the need for responsible water management and conservation.