Interpenetrating hydrogel networks based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate have been synthesized. Water absorption and desorption properties of these hydrogels were analysed extensively. The influence of solutes (urea, potassium iodide, D-glucose, sodium chloride) on equilibrium water content (EWC) of these gels was also studied. Incorporation of PVA into poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in the form of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) increases the EWC. The existence of different classes of water in this IPN system is shown by water melting curves using differential scanning calorimetry. The morphological features of these films were studied by scanning electron microscopy.