Water as a solvent solution Water and solvent stock image. Image of flame, research 183906993 Water and solvent stock photo. Image of liquid, chemistry 183906980 Daily Double. 2 separate folks insisting WD 40 isn't a lubricant. (Both A. I. and WD 40's website disagree with them.) Importance of Water as a Universal Solvent, Description:, Water is called the universal solvent because it has the ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances, including salts, sugars, acids, Water, the Solvent for Life