We have mapped the distribution of 22 GHz H2O masers in the nuclear re
gion of M 82 where enhanced star formation and bright molecular clouds
are observed. We have used different configurations of the Very Large
Array interferometer and detected H2O emission with the C configurati
on. We have covered the velocity range 63 to 377 km s(-1), and four, m
ost likely six, H2O maser centers have been identified. In five other
directions lying along the major axis of M 82, four H2O features have
been marginally detected. Two of the detected H2O sources coincide wit
hin the uncertainties with two well known OH masers. These H2O sources
are closely associated with two continuum sources which seem to be gi
ant H II regions or clusters of compact HII regions. All of the H2O so
urces coincide with, or lie in the immediate vicinity of dense molecul
ar complexes mapped with the IRAM interferometer. The H2O masers in M
82 have general properties quite similar to those of our Galaxy, and i
n this respect M 82 is not an outstanding galaxy. Isotropic luminosity
, time variability and spatial distribution of H2O sources are not mar
kedly different from what is observed in the Galaxy. We believe that t
he H2O masing centers observed in M 82 mark sites of current star form
ation, whereas the supernova remnants mark a more advanced stage of st
ellar evolution and apparently lie at the periphery of the molecular c
louds.