Artificial water channels-AWCs are known to selectively transport water, with ion exclusion. Similar to natural porins, AWCs encapsulate water wires or clusters, offering continuous and iterative H-bonding that play a vital role in their stabilization. Herein, we report octyl-ureido-polyol AWCs capable of self-assembly into hydrophilic hydroxy-channels. Variants of ethanol, propanediol and trimethanol are used as headgroups to modulate water transport permeabilities, with complete rejection of ions. The hydroxy-channels achieve a single-channel permeability of 2.33 × 10 8 water molecules per second, which is within the same order of magnitude as the transport rates for Aquaporins. Depending on their concentration in the membrane, adaptive channels are observed in the membrane. Over increased concentrations, a significant shift occurs initiating unexpected higher water permeation. Molecular simulations probe that sponge-like or cylindrical aggregates can form to generate transient cluster water pathways through the bilayer. Altogether, the adaptive self-assembly is a key feature influencing channel efficiency The adaptive channels described here may be considered as an important milestone contributing to the systematic discovery of artificial water channels for water desalination.