This is probably the most voluminous natural hot spring of the world. Its average flow of 98°C hot water is 180 litres per second, about 40% of the natural hot spring water appearing on the surface in the Borgarfiord District. An inviolate variety of the hard fern (blechum spicant), not found elsewhere, thrives by the hot spring. The hot spring is exploited for house heating in the towns Akranes, 39 miles (64 km) away, and Borgarnes, 21 miles (34 km) away, and at a few farms.

Horticulture is an important part of the agricultural activities in the area. The disease Para pneumonia, which plagued the sheep stock of the country for decades, was originally discovered at Deildartunga.