A water soluble polymer composition is disclosed. The polymer has repeat units characterized by the structural formulae: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3); R.sub.2 is OH, OM, or NH.sub.2 ; M is a water soluble cation; R.sub.3 is a hydroxy substituted alkyl or alkylene radical having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms or a non-substituted alkyl or alkylene radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X is an anionic radical; Z is H or hydrogens or a water soluble cation or cations which together counterbalance the valence of X, and a is 0 or 1. The copolymer is effective in inhibiting the precipitation of certain scale forming salts, and also acts to inhibit corrosion of metal parts in contact with water systems.