A new method using water as a stationary phase in capillary GChas been described. Through hydrating and applying backpressureto the phase, stable operation can be obtained over time at vari-ous temperatures. While stationary phase retention is reasonablyconsistent with analyte water solubility, it has little reliance uponanalyte volatility. Non-polar analytes are relatively little retained.These properties are useful for directly analyzing organic and aque-ous samples for polar analyte content. The results indicate that thisapproach could provide an interesting alternative tool for capillaryGC separations.