Google said projects linked to its water stewardship programme replenished 7 billion gallons of water in 2025, according to figures released by the company.

The projects included watershed restoration, irrigation upgrades and water conservation measures in areas identified by the company as facing water stress. Google said the work was carried out through partnerships with local organisations and conservation groups.

The announcement comes as water use by data centres receives closer examination from regulators, researchers and community groups. Data centres require water for cooling equipment, and demand for computing capacity has increased with the expansion of cloud services and artificial intelligence systems.

Google has stated that it aims to replenish more water than it consumes by 2030 in the watersheds where it operates. Replenishment projects are used by companies to estimate the volume of water returned to a watershed or saved through conservation activities.

The company did not disclose how much of its total water consumption was offset by the 7 billion gallons reported for 2025. Previous environmental reports have shown that water use at technology companies varies depending on climate conditions, facility design and cooling systems.

Questions have also been raised about how replenishment claims are measured. Researchers and environmental organisations have noted that water restored or conserved through projects may not always be located in the same watershed where water is withdrawn for industrial operations. As a result, some experts argue that replenishment figures should be assessed alongside direct water-use data.

Water availability has become a concern in several regions where large data centres operate. Local authorities in parts of the United States, Europe and Asia have examined the effect of industrial water demand on public water supplies, particularly during periods of drought.

Technology companies have responded by investing in water recycling systems, alternative cooling methods and conservation projects. Many have also begun publishing water consumption figures as part of environmental disclosures.

The company mentioned that the projects reported for 2025 involved efforts to increase water availability as well as lessen the strain on local water supplies. Google has not specified any financial information concerning the projects.

The reported amount of water replenished has generated discussions concerning corporate measurement of water footprint as well as the potential of projects aimed at replenishing water to compensate for its use.