A group dedicated to protecting Canterbury's water is taking legal action against the regional council for allowing the water bottling company to extract ground water in Kaiapoi.
Environment Canterbury gave Cloud Ocean Water drilling consent for up to ten bores at the end of 2017.
Aotearoa Water Action spokesman Peter Richardson said the organisation hasn't done enough research on the effects of water contamination.
"It is a highly concerning situation for the people of Christchurch"
"Environment Canterbury is letting the local communities down."
Richardson argues those responsible are not pulling their weight and Christchurch locals are not benefiting from the "thoughtless" consent process.
"It has been shrouded in secrecy."
He said corporate businesses are helping themselves to public resources for their own benefit.
The consent currently allows Cloud Ocean Water to take 1.6 billion litres a year.