There is delight from a Christchurch group opposing overseas water bottling consents.

Community group Aotearoa Water Action has won the first round of its legal battle against Environment Canterbury and two water mining companies Cloud Ocean Water and Rapaki Natural Resources.

High Court Justice Peter Churchman ruled old industrial resource consents for a wool scour and freezing works at Belfast don't allow for large-scale water bottling operations.

Aotearoa Water Action spokesperson Peter Richardson says they expected the judge to rule in their favour.

"We were very confident heading into the hearing, we would've been surprised if we had lost it to be honest."

The decision doesn't mean the consents are cancelled, but a hearing will be held on the issue in the new year.