Posted Friday, March 15, 2013 --- 2:47 p.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- The cost of a massive water pipeline failure in Green Bay in December could reach a half-million dollars.

Officials of the Green Bay Water Utility say the incident will deplete a $3 million reserve fund. But officials of the city-owned water utility say the costs probably can be absorbed without customer rate increases or other major adjustments.

The 3-foot pipeline burst Dec. 29 on Green Bay's east side. About 8 million gallons of water leaked, flooding roads and disrupting water to thousands of customers.

Officials have hired an outside engineering firm to pinpoint the cause of the leak and report on whether other water mains are at risk.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports the investigation alone could cost more than $200,000.

Copyright 2013: Associated Press