STANTONSBURG — Regulators are investigating a possible hog-waste spill that environmental groups say could contaminate the Contentnea Creek and Neuse River.

N.C. Division of Water Quality inspectors on Friday took water samples from an unnamed stream near a Murphy-Brown farm southeast of Stantonsburg. Inspectors said there appeared to be hog waste in the stream, but tests to detect fecal coliform bacteria and other contaminants would take days to complete.

Cews pumped gallons of brown, viscous water from a stream on the right side of Sand Pit Road to a long trench on the left side of the road Friday. The trench appeared to run downstream from the sow farm. Environmental advocates said the strong odor and purple or pink tint to the water shows the stream is contaminated.

Swine farms are required by state law to operate under environmental performance standards. Farms that violate standards face regulatory and civil penalties.