Google: Reducing Belgian Agriculture Water & Fertiliser Use

Water scarcity affects food production systems across multiple continents.

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

These conditions could mean reduced crop yields and compromised food safety in agricultural regions.

Google is supporting Agua Segura and Agrow Analytics to use AI-powered precision agriculture across Belgium's farmland.

The partnership aims to reduce water stress, unsustainable irrigation and overuse of fertilisers.

These factors directly influence the quality and quantity of food and drink products reaching consumers.

AI technology for Belgian farms

The Scheldt Basin is a 435 km international river flowing through Northern France, Western Belgium and the Southwestern Netherlands into the North Sea.

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

Agricultural land in the region produces crops that supply food and drink manufacturers across Europe. Google's aim is to implement AI-powered agriculture across more than 1,000 hectares of farmland.

Agrow's technology platform integrates climate, water and soil data using satellite and thermal imagery. The system allows farmers to receive precise irrigation and fertilisation recommendations.

More efficient water use could mean more reliable harvests for the food and drink sector.

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

The collaboration aims to replenish up to 158 million gallons, 600,000 cubic metres, of water.

By using AI technology, reduction in annual irrigation demand and fertiliser use can take place across more than 1,000 hectares of farmland.

Food sector water conservation

Robert Little, Senior Strategy Lead: Sustainability & Sellside at Google, says: "Instead of only looking at what AI consumes, I look at what it can optimise."

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

Improved watershed health could support consistent agricultural output for food production.

Better soil and water management in farming regions could influence supply chain stability for food and drink companies.

The technology provides farm-level data that helps growers make decisions about crop irrigation timing and fertiliser application rates.

These decisions affect crop quality parameters that matter to food processors.

Water-stressed crops may have different sugar content, protein levels or other characteristics that influence final product quality.

Google partnerships for food innovation

Google is expanding its sustainability efforts through major investments in water stewardship, nature restoration and technology-driven conservation projects while also supporting food and drink innovation through AI partnerships.

As rising AI demand increases water use in data centres, Google has committed to replenishing 120% of the freshwater it consumes across its offices and facilities by 2030.

The company has replenished more than seven billion gallons of water through 165 projects across 97 watersheds worldwide. Initiatives range from peatland restoration in Ireland and river filtration systems in Taiwan to smart irrigation technology in the Colorado River Basin and AI-powered water monitoring in schools in India.

Beyond water conservation, Google Cloud has partnered with Unilever to build AI-driven 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-assisted shopping experiences.

Google and YouTube have also backed global clean water campaigns, including a US$2m contribution to TeamWater alongside creators like MrBeast and Mark Rober. The funding helps support sustainable water infrastructure projects in communities across Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Data centre cooling methods

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

"We take a site-specific approach to understand the local hydrological environment to find the best and most sustainable cooling solution - using non-potable sources of freshwater and alternatives to freshwater as much as possible - and to make a positive impact.

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

Google is advancing sustainable data centre operations through a commitment to responsible water stewardship and climate-conscious cooling practices.

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

Watershed restoration and monitoring

Google developed a science-based water risk framework in collaboration with environmental scientists and hydrologists. The framework allows the company to assess water availability, community needs, infrastructure and climate trends at a hyperlocal level.

Alongside reducing consumption, Google aims to replenish more freshwater than it uses across its offices and data centres by 2030. The company is investing in watershed restoration and ecosystem health projects in the communities where it operates.

Through transparency initiatives, Google publicly reports annual water usage and replenishment efforts. These reports demonstrate the company's commitment to building more sustainable digital infrastructure.

Agrow's technology platform integrates climate, water and soil data from satellite and thermal imagery to provide precise irrigation and fertilisation recommendations.

These tools help farmers make decisions that could affect both water conservation and crop quality for food production systems.