Water take and geothermal

How do geothermal energy generation activities potentially influence water flows?

Once geothermal water has been used, it is disposed of by discharging into surface waters or by injecting it straight back into the geothermal system or into deep groundwater. Discharging geothermal water into surface waters can impact water flows, water quality and mahinga kai by changing the acidity (pH) of the water, adding high levels of chemical contaminants (like arsenic), and increasing river temperatures.