One important factor in dealing with HC surface and ground water supplies is the differences in surface water flow and tributary ground water flow. In Nebraska, for example, stream-flow may move twenty-five miles per day or more, whereas ground water flow may be 300 feet per year.hen the aquifer is, say, twenty feet higher than the stream, the ground water will flow toward the stream more quickly than if the aquifer is only one foot higher than the stream.
Why Water Is Called the Universal Solvent Water dissolves more chemicals than any other solvent because its polar nature gives each molecule a hydophobic (water-fearing) and hydrophilic (water-loving) side.
Hence: 1  Water is very effective at weathering rocks and minerals. It is the closest thing to a universal solvent. 2  Water is very effective at transporting ions and dissolved nutrients in the human body. 3  Water is not an effective solvent of organic molecules. Thus we do not dissolve in our own cell fluids.