We report molecular-beam measurements of the total integral cross sections for the scattering of water molecules by helium atoms. A combined analysis of the new experimental data together with available differential cross section results has allowed an accurate determination of the isotropic component of the interaction potential for this prototypical system. The potential well shows a depth of 0.265 +/- 0.010 kJ/mol at a distance between He and the center of mass of the water molecule of 0.345 +/- 0.02 nm. An effective isotropic long-range attraction constant C(LR) = (6.3+/-0.3) x 10(-4) kJ mol(-1) nm(-6), including both dispersion and induction contributions, has also been determined. The most recent and accurate ab initio potential-energy surfaces have been tested against these new experimental results.