Abstract: A method of preventing and inhibiting scale on solid surfaces in contact with mineral processing waters which comprises treating such waters with a scale preventing or inhibiting amount of a composition comprising:______________________________________ Ingredients % By Weight ______________________________________ A. Polyacrylic acid 25-65 B. An acrylic acid lower alkyl acrylate ester 25-65 copolymer which contains from 1-6 carbon atoms in the alkyl group C. An acrylamide terpolymer which contains 0-30 from 1-80 mole % of acrylic acid and from 1-50 mole % of an alkyl sulfonate substituted acrylamide wherein the alkyl group contains from 1-6 carbon atoms ______________________________________with polymers A, B, and C having a molecular weight range between 1,000 to 50,000.