On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Freshwater

We provide public information on river, lake, and groundwater conditions across New Zealand including freshwater quantity and quality.

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    Sediment and wind

    How may wind energy generation activities influence sediments in waterways?
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    Water take and geothermal

    How do geothermal energy generation activities potentially influence water flows?
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    Water temperature and geothermal

    What are the impacts of geothermal energy generation activities on water temperatures?
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    Chemical contamination and geothermal

    What are the potential sources of chemical contamination from geothermal energy generation activities?
  • Water take and thermal

    How may thermal energy generation activities influence water resources?
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    Water temperature and thermal

    Generating electricity creates a lot of wasted energy in the form of heat, which then needs to be cooled before it can be discharged into the environment.
  • Riparian vegetation and hydro

    What are the potential influences of hydro-dam activities on riparian vegetation?
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    Sediments and hydro

    How may hydro-dams influence sediments in waterways?
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    Altered water flow and hydro

    How do hydro-dams potentially influence water flows?
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    Environmental Information Update

    Publication series
    The latest updates about NIWA's EI work delivered to your inbox in our e-newsletter.
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    Examples and expertise

    NIWA has wide-ranging expertise in toxicology testing.
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    Standard tests

    NIWA offers both water and sediment tests, using a range of organisms.