Better Water, Better Crops: Dutch Ornamental Growers Report Major Improvements with AQUA4D®

This article was originally published in the Netherlands’ leading Floral Daily magazine.

A Dutch chrysanthemum grower recorded his best crop results in years after installing AQUA4D® physical water treatment. He’s far from alone—90% of growers who trial the system end up purchasing it. Here’s why.

The Proof: One Grower’s Success Story

Last December, a chrysanthemum grower in the Netherlands achieved what he hadn’t seen in years: heavier plants and flatter beds—the hallmark of optimal growing conditions. The difference? An investment in AQUA4D® water treatment technology.

The improvement was significant enough to convince him to move from trial rental to permanent installation. And he’s not betting on a hunch—a fellow grower had already achieved excellent results with the same system.

This grower is one of a rapidly growing number of Dutch ornamental producers discovering that water quality has a direct, measurable impact on crop performance.

The Evidence: 90% Conversion from Trial to Purchase

Raymond Lescrauwaet, AQUA4D® importer for the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany for the past 14 years, has observed a clear pattern: more than 90% of growers who conduct on-farm trials eventually purchase the system.

This high conversion rate isn’t accidental. “We’re selective about which installations we recommend,” Lescrauwaet explains. “We have a rigorous assessment process. If we determine the system won’t deliver added value for a specific grower, we simply step away. We only want satisfied customers.”

The result speaks for itself: In 14 years, Lescrauwaet has never encountered a worn-out AQUA4D® unit. The rental fleet – some units older than his tenure as importer – continues operating without issue.

Healthy seedlings and flowers at Beekenkamp

How It Works: Simple Installation, Proven Process

The path from evaluation to installation follows a straightforward process:

1. Initial Assessment – Growers complete a questionnaire and provide water analysis reports
2. Site Evaluation – On-site measurements determine system sizing and configuration
3. Trial Rental – Growers test the system on their operation
4. Installation – The installation itself is relatively simple and fast
5. Long-Term Operation – No maintenance required, minimal energy consumption

“Once it’s running, the system operates with virtually no ongoing maintenance or energy use,” Lescrauwaet notes. “Installation is straightforward. What matters is the results.”

The Real Impact: Better Water, Better Everything

AQUA4D® improves water quality, which cascades through the entire growing system:

• – Enhanced nutrient uptake – Physical water treatment lowers surface tension, making irrigation water more effective
• – Tolerance for higher EC levels – Growers can work with water quality that would otherwise be problematic
• – Proven synergy with other technologies – AQUA4D® works alongside nanobubble systems, UV-C treatment, and oxygen injection systems

One trial currently underway at HortiTech combines AQUA4D® with UltraO2 oxygen injection and PathoLed UV-C treatment in cucumber production. Indeed, multiple leading flower growers in the Netherlands are running combined trials of AQUA4D® with nanobubble systems.

Improved turf at AZ Alkmaar football club

Getting Started: Low-Risk, High-Reward Approach

For growers hesitant about the technology, Lescrauwaet recommends a practical first step: “Treat one irrigation zone and compare it with an untreated reference zone. That way, you can quickly see the differences—especially during summer on hot days when water stress is highest.”

This side-by-side approach removes the guesswork. Growers see direct evidence of water quality impact on crop performance.

The Bottom Line

For Dutch growers facing the same water quality challenges that plagued the chrysanthemum grower in this story, the evidence is clear: AQUA4D® delivers measurable improvements in plant quality and performance.

The question isn’t whether the technology works. The track record answers that.The question is: when will your operation benefit from it?

Lescrauwaet B.V. – AQUA4D® Importer for Netherlands, Belgium & Germany
Phone: +31 (0)35 8872683
Email: info@lescrauwaet.com
Web: www.lescrauwaet.com

Publication Date: July 2026
Category: Cultivation Technology | Ornamental Production | Water Management

Keywords: AQUA4D, water treatment, chrysanthemum, ornamental production, water quality, physical water treatment, sustainable growing, Netherlands

Watch: AQUA4D’s dramatic effect at AZ Alkmaar football club