First of all, water has an enormous amount of surface cohesion. Water also has an incredible amount of surface adhesion. Water is practically incompressible. Myriad broken pipes, faucets and radiators attest to its futility. The violent bursting of granite blocks in winter where a few drops of water filtered in during the summer rains have always fascinated explorers, campers and hikers.
Water is also a universal solvent.
Only corrosive acids can dissolve more substances than water. Neither government nor industry has shown in the past the interest or the zeal to pursue the necessary goals.