Well, that depends. When I say waterbased, I indeed mean the inks are
waterbased. That doesn't mean they aren't waterproof when they dry, or
get locked into certain paper formulations.
The pigment inks used by Epson, for instance (Durabrite and Ultrachrome)
are waterproof once they dry. They use non-water soluble pigments
suspended in a water based liquid which uses water soluble acrylic
resins. Once dry, the pigment is held to the paper surface via the
resin, which becomes waterproof when dry.
The alcohol and ammonia dissolve the resin again even after drying.
Some dye inks also can become water proof upon drying or at least water
resistant, so again other solvent or wetting agents help.
Art