A water soluble or water dispersible polymer composition is disclosed. The polymer has the repeat units characterized by the formula I: ##STR1## Wherein E is the repeat unit remaining after polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated compound; preferably, a carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, or amide form thereof or mixtures thereof. R.sub.1 is H or lower (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl. G is --CH.sub.2 -- or --CHCH.sub.3 --; R.sub.2 is .paren open-st.CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O.paren close-st..sub.n or .paren open-st.CH.sub.2 --CHCH.sub.3 --O.paren close-st..sub.n where n ranges from about 1 to 100, preferably about 1 to 20. X is an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of SO.sub.3, PO.sub.3, or COO; Z is H or hydrogens or any water soluble cationic moiety which counterbalances the valence of the anionic radical X, including but not limited to Na, K, Ca, or NH.sub.4. F, when present, is a repeat unit having the structure of formula II: ##STR2## wherein X and Z are the same as in Formula I. R.sub.4 is H or lower (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl. R.sub.5 is hydroxy substituted alkyl or alkylene having from about 1 to 6 carbon atoms.