Google Reduces Water Stress with AI Precision Agriculture

AI could reshape water management in agriculture as Google deploys machine learning systems across more than 1,000 hectares of Belgian farmland.

The technology processes climate, water and soil data from satellite and thermal imagery to generate irrigation and fertilisation recommendations for farmers in the Scheldt Basin.

According to Google, the Basin faces water quality and availability challenges.

The 435km international river flows through Northern France, Western Belgium and the Southwestern Netherlands into the North Sea.

The partnership between Google, Agua Segura and Agrow Analytics aims to replenish up to 600,000 cubic metres of water.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022 more than two billion people live in water-stressed countries and at least 1.7 billion people use unsanitary drinking water.

The collaboration targets reductions in annual irrigation demand and fertiliser use through AI-powered precision agriculture.

Vertex AI transforms farm operations

Agrow's technology platform uses Google Cloud's Vertex AI to integrate multiple data sources.

The system processes satellite imagery and thermal imaging to create precise recommendations for individual farms.

According to Agrow, a farmer in one of the basins says: "Before this project, we used to fight over water. Now we plan together."

The AI system analyses environmental data at farm level. This allows farmers to receive specific guidance on water and fertiliser application rather than relying on general estimates.

Robert Little, Senior Strategy Lead for Sustainability and Sellside at Google, says that the approach demonstrates the power of AI handprint.

"Instead of only looking at what AI consumes, I look at what it can optimise," Robert says.

"That is the power of the AI handprint, turning complex environmental data into practical, farm-level decisions that build watershed resilience."

Machine learning addresses data centre consumption

Google has committed to replenishing 120% of the freshwater it consumes across its offices and facilities by 2030.

The commitment comes as AI demand increases water use in data centres.

The company has replenished more than seven billion gallons of water through 165 projects across 97 watersheds worldwide.

These initiatives include peatland restoration in Ireland, river filtration systems in Taiwan, smart irrigation technology in the Colorado River Basin and AI-powered water monitoring in schools in India.

Data centres generate large amounts of heat and require cooling systems.

Google evaluates each data centre location individually, considering local watershed health, carbon-free energy availability and climate risks before deciding on cooling methods.

In areas facing high water stress, Google explores alternatives such as air-cooling systems or reclaimed and recycled water to reduce pressure on freshwater supplies.

AI partnerships expand beyond agriculture

Google Cloud has partnered with Unilever to build AI systems that could transform how consumers discover and purchase food and drink products.

The partnership uses technologies such as Vertex AI and Gemini to personalise marketing, improve supply chains and support AI shopping experiences.

Google and YouTube have backed global clean water campaigns.

The company contributed US$2m to TeamWater alongside creators including MrBeast and Mark Rober, helping fund sustainable water infrastructure projects in communities across Africa, Asia and the Americas.

"Water is an essential resource and Google we are constantly looking for ways to use it more efficiently," says Michiel Sallaets, Communications Lead Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Technical Infrastructure at Google.

Michiel explains the company takes a site-specific approach to understand the local hydrological environment.

"For example, in Saint-Ghislain, Belgium, we use water from the industrial canal for cooling and minimum potable water for human sanitary use mostly," he says.

The Scheldt Basin project demonstrates how AI systems can process complex environmental data.

The technology converts satellite and thermal imagery into actionable guidance for farmers.

The partnership aims to reduce unsustainable irrigation practices and overuse of fertilisers.

By providing precise recommendations based on real-time data analysis, the AI system could enable more efficient resource use across Belgian farmland.

The 1,000 hectare deployment in Belgium represents one application of machine learning in water conservation.

Google's broader efforts include 165 water replenishment projects spanning 97 watersheds globally.

The company's commitment to replenish 120% of freshwater consumption by 2030 addresses concerns about data centre water use.

As AI workloads increase cooling requirements, the technology simultaneously offers solutions for water management in agriculture and other sectors.