The absolute configuration of the title compound, C18H24O5 center dot H2O, was not been determined by anomalous-dispersion effects, but has been assigned by reference to an unchanging chiral centre in the synthetic procedure. Intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds stabilize the molecular conformation. In the crystal, O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds link the main molecules and the water molecules, forming an infinite three-dimensional network.