The "Bung the Bore" lobby group won't be satisfied until water consents on a lot of land in Ashburton is completely off the cards.

They've received more than 40,000 signatures in a petition denouncing the sale - which will be heard at the Ashburton District Council meeting this afternoon.

A report has recommended the council keep the consent, despite fierce public opposition.

Organiser, Jen Branje said they know the council wouldn't give up.

"To be perfectly honest, we're not surprised, we didn't expect them to surrender it."

Vincie Billante prepared the report on the public feedback.

She says bottling water and sending it overseas is a national issue.

"There's 72 water bottling plants all around the country, so we're not the first by any stretch to have encountered public opposition."