Water, that essential elixir for life-on earth, can pose a serious threat to artworks and cultural artifacts in archives, libraries and museums. This may be as a result of technical malfunctions (discussed in a separate section) or of extreme weather events and the resulting flooding of flood plains. Cultural property is at risk from surface water, sewer backup or rising or discharging groundwater. The questionnaire facilitates the analysis of threats and provides initial pointers to the steps to be undertaken. The topic is discussed in greater detail in the introduction.