There are fears thousands of Cantabrians will have their drinking water contaminated if a number of quarries are allowed to dig into Christchurch's groundwater table.

Ten local quarry operators are seeking consent to dig lower than the highest ever groundwater level recorded, but say they'll stay at least one metre above the current level.

They want permission to dig lower than the highest ever groundwater level recorded, but say they'll stay at least one metre above the current level.

Riccarton-Wigram community board chair Mike Mora says he's deeply opposed to the idea, on the grounds that "you don't pee in your teacup."

"It doesn't matter what you put over the top. It's still going into the groundwater. How can they protect it?"

Mora said it would have a huge impact on a number of people.

"It could be the whole of Christchurch."

The council is currently taking public submissions on the proposal.