Water is a polar molecule. This means that it carries a charge. The charge difference is due to the higher electronegativity of the oxygen atom commpared to the hydrogens in the molecule.
Water is a good solvent especially for polar molecules. Here we look at how salt (NaCl) is dissolved by water. The individual water molecules arrange themselves around the Sodium (Na) and Chroline (Cl) atoms.
Water is able to form hydrogen bonds. For this reason, boling temperature, specific heat capacity, latent heat are higher than for methane.
Water is able to form hydrogen bonds, which gives it its specific properties. Water has solvent, adhesive and thermal properties.
Being polar, water is a good solvent for other polar substances. Non-polar substances can not be easily transported by water directly.