A fuel cell (10), having a proton exchange membrane (48), an anode and a cathode, and cathode and anode water transport plates (12, 16), includes a water capillary edge seal to optimize and greatly improve fuel cell operation without the need for additional seals or impregnation of the water transport plates. The water filled porous bodies of the water transport plates (12, 16) use the capillary forces of the water, which is a product of the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell (10) and the preferred coolant, to prevent gas intrusion into the water system and over board leakage of the gases as well as the resultant hazardous mixture of gaseous fuel and oxidizing gas.