ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina sewage agency is investigating reports of a sizeable leak that may have pumped E. coli bacteria into a creek.

The Asheville Citizen Times reports the leak was discovered in Asheville’s Reed Creek Wednesday. An environmental group sampled the water and says it registered E. coli readings much higher than normal.

Ken Stines of Buncombe County’s Metropolitan Sewerage District said his organization has a team investigating the leak. Stines noted it may not be as large as the environmental group described, but official results are pending.

Stines said the leak could be caused by a sewer line back up, and MSD has identified a possible source.

The newspaper says Reed Creek eventually flows into a popular wading spot. No swim advisories have been issued yet.

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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com

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