Scientists studying the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on waterways say increased groundwater will have an effect on building.
Since the first of the major quakes in September 2010, hundreds of new freshwater springs have surfaced, aquifers have dropped and old bores have re-emerged.
Senior hydrologist Helen Rutter says a number of new springs have emerged around Christchurch.
She says Canterbury Regional Council has been given a database recording all the new springs so they can be taken into account by surveyors and builders when digging foundations for new structures.
She says many of the springs can be controlled by simply being sealed or diverted.
