This study investigated the characteristics of an atmospheric pressure air-glow discharge with a liquid cathode. Distilled water was utilized as the cathode. The electric field strength, gas temperature as well as the emission intensity of some N-2(C-3 Pi(u) -->B-3 Pi(g)) and OH (A(2)Sigma(+) --> X-2 Pi) bands were measured at a discharge current ranging from 15 to 50 mA. Based upon the data obtained, the reduced electric field strength, E/N, and effective vibrational temperatures for N-2(C-3 Pi(u), X-1 Sigma(+)(g)) and OH (A(2)Sigma(+)) were examined. The electron energy distribution function (EEDF) and some electron parameters (average energy, electron density and rate coefficients) were obtained based on a numerical solution of the Boltzmann kinetic equation. The result showed that the EEDF was not in equilibrium and the effective vibrational temperatures for N-2 (C-3 Pi(u), X-1 Sigma(+)(g)) were essentially higher than the gas temperatures.