Google Cloud has announced a strategic partnership with Additive Catchments to deliver AI-powered environmental monitoring infrastructure across UK rivers.
The collaboration aims to strengthen water quality governance and accelerate regulatory compliance through real-time data analytics. Crucially, the partnership focuses on Catchment Monitoring as a Service (CMaaS), a platform developed by Additive Catchments that provides continuous monitoring of river systems using environmental data, predictive AI and dynamic dashboards.
Additionally, the service enables decision-makers to anticipate pollution risks, monitor compliance and manage catchments.
Google Cloud has committed itself to supporting broader environmental commitments, which includes the goal of achieving 24/7 carbon-free energy across all of its data centres by 2030. Its partnership with Additive Catchments demonstrates how cloud infrastructure providers are looking to incorporate environmental monitoring into their wider strategy.
Using digital infrastructure to protect the environment
The CMaaS platform operates on Google Cloud infrastructure, utilising BigQuery, Vertex AI, Earth Engine and Looker technologies. These tools provide data processing capabilities across entire river basins and replace traditional water monitoring systems that often operate in isolation.
“By combining the agility and environmental expertise of Additive Catchments with the scale and technical excellence of Google Cloud, we’re ensuring clients have access to consistent, secure and credible data services,” says Rob Passmore, CEO of Additive Catchments.
“This partnership sets a new standard for environmental decision-making.”
The platform processes environmental data to generate insights for regulators, utilities, investors and communities. It also provides verifiable data that enables stakeholders to make decisions based on shared information rather than fragmented monitoring approaches.
Additive Catchments has selected Capgemini as the lead implementation and cloud integration partner for deploying CMaaS at scale. Capgemini is able to offer environmental data engineering support, digital governance expertise and AI transformation experience to support deployment across different catchments.
The wider partnership network includes Siemens, AtkinsRéalis and The Rivers Trust, creating a delivery framework designed for long-term environmental impact.
“By combining the scale of Google Cloud, the delivery power of Capgemini and the intelligence of Additive Catchments, we’re establishing a world-class foundation for scalable water resilience,” says Quinton Davies, Chief Technology Officer at Additive Catchments.
“This is not just a UK solution – it’s a globally exportable model for digital catchment management.”
The collaboration also addresses increasing demand for transparent environmental monitoring systems.
Confronting regulatory pressures with AI and data analysis
Environmental standards are tightening while public concern over pollution and biodiversity loss continues to mount, which puts pressure on the need for verifiable data.
In response, the partnership hopes to confront regulatory pressures facing infrastructure operators, which includes data centre providers – who are having to pay more attention to the impact of climate change.
CMaaS supports compliance monitoring requirements while providing shared data access across stakeholder groups.
Water governance systems are facing scrutiny as environmental standards evolve. In response, the platform is set to deliver verifiable environmental data that enables accountability measures and progress tracking towards cleaner water systems and ecosystem health targets.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Additive Catchments to address one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges,” says Maureen Costello, Vice President, UKI and SSA at Google Cloud.
“This work is a clear example of how cloud technology, applied responsibly, can support large-scale ecosystem resilience and foster greater public trust.”
The collaboration also represents a shift in environmental infrastructure towards more integrated, data-led systems that enable collective stewardship. CMaaS establishes a framework for how cloud providers, system integrators and environmental specialists can develop tools that meet regulatory and community requirements.
Additive Catchments operates as a mission-led organisation with majority ownership by non-profit interests, reinforcing its commitment to public benefit outcomes. The company develops initiatives including the River Health Index, which aims to reconnect stakeholders around transparent environmental insights and shared objectives.
Quinton explains the broader implications: “This partnership sets a new standard for environmental decision-making.”
https://datacentremagazine.com/news/how-google-additive-catchments-are-cleaning-rivers-with-ai
