Your assumption about the proper use of the designation for layer W (water) is correct. Saturated mineral or organic layers should not be labeled as W. Those horizons would be designated something like Cg, Bg, Oa, etc.
Master layer W was introduced as a part of the work of ICOMPAS (International Committee on Permafrost-Affected Soils) and is adapted from the Canadian system. The primary use of layer W is in soils where a Glacic layer has formed, (a layer with 75% or more ice; see Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Tenth edition, page 25). Such a layer would be designated as Wf for frozen water. The master W layer designation can also be used in a soil of a “floating bog” situation where soil horizons are directly over a unfrozen layer of water. These soils can occur where ground water moves laterally and eventually rises but is segregated between horizons of organic or mineral soil materials.
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W layer concept
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