Water the Universal Solvent

Since my work focuses on water, I always want to inspire others to do the same. By the end of this post, you’ll understand why water is known as the universal solvent.

I started my career twenty-plus years ago in environmental consulting, cleaning up pollution, and we were taught that water is a Universal Solvent. However, what does that mean??

Water is regarded as the universal solvent since it is able to dissolve more substances than almost any other liquid. [usgs.gov] Although it does not dissolve all things, it dissolves more substances than any other common liquid on Earth.

That's why water can:

💧 Deliver nutrients throughout our bodies

🌱 Feed plants with minerals from the soil

🏭 Support manufacturing and food production

🌊 Connect ecosystems across the planet

In so many respects water acts as nature's distribution network.

Here's the lesson:

The fact that water is essential for life also means that it is important to protect it. Water does not only transport nutrients; it can also carry contaminants. Anything that enters our waterways is able to travel through ecosystems, communities, and supply chains.

Every decision we make around water quality, wastewater, and watershed protection has ripple effects far beyond a single facility, community, or region.

We are reminded that all things are connected by water.

Since water is the universal solvent, it seems that care for it should be a universal responsibility.

🎥 If you are a visual learner, I recommend this simple 5-minute explanation.

"Why Water is the Universal Solvent: The Science Behind Water's Dissolving Power" (4 min 54 sec): https://lnkd.in/gMp8M3md