It's not quite accurate to say there are only *four* properties of water. Water has many important properties, but here are four key ones that are often highlighted:

1. High Heat Capacity: Water can absorb a lot of heat energy without a significant change in temperature. This helps moderate temperatures on Earth and keeps living organisms stable.

2. Universal Solvent: Water is a great solvent, meaning it can dissolve many substances. This allows for important chemical reactions to occur within living organisms and in the environment.

3. Cohesion and Adhesion: Water molecules are strongly attracted to each other (cohesion) and to other surfaces (adhesion). This allows water to move up plants through their vascular systems and creates surface tension.

4. Density Anomaly: Water is less dense as a solid (ice) than as a liquid. This allows ice to float, which is vital for aquatic life and the Earth's climate.

Let me know if you'd like to know more about any of these properties!