A broken sanitary sewage pipe in northern Macomb County has prompted the a public health advisory and closed Hayes Road between 25 Mile and 26 Mile roads, officials said Wednesday night.

The break is spilling 21,000 gallons of raw sewage per hour into the Middle Branch of the Clinton River, according to the Macomb County Health Department. Hayes has been shut down to allow crews to work around-the-clock on repairing the site.

Washington Township officials said they own the pipe, but the break took place by a private residence near the intersection of Hayes and 251/2 Mile.

“That pipe is nearly 50 years old,” said Washington Township Supervisor Sebastian. “These pipes are near the end of the line as far as their shelf life. They are like ticking time bombs.”

The sewer break was discovered Tuesday afternoon and a repair crew went right to work to fix it. But as they dug overnight into Wednesday, they realized the bigger was larger than originally thought, Previti said. Hayes was closed at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

A private contractor arrived Wednesday morning to assist Washington’s Department of Public Works repair crews.

Sewage from Washington Township is fed south through a force main from 26 Mile and Hayes to 23 Mile and finally into what’s known as the Garfield Interceptor, township officials.

“Crews are currently assessing the situation and are actively working to alleviate the impact of the leak,” the county said in a news release. “Current plans call for the development of a bypass that re-route sewage around the leak to be completed by Thursday. After the bypass is established, longer term solutions will be established and activated.”

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has been advised of the situation, per protocol.

Water samples have been taken to see if any sewage leaked into the Middle Branch Clinton River. Officials are requesting that people avoid the river for the next 72 hours.

Washington Township resident are urged to avoid using excess water over the next 48 hours, including refraining from running the dishwasher and washing machines, and taking shorter showers to alleviate sewage.

The township says septic systems were not impacted.

Previti said the bypass pipe has been ordered from a Grand Rapids company and is expected to arrive early Thursday. A DPW vactor truck is expected to run throughout the night in an effort to remove sewage from reaching the river.

Once the Hayes Road site is repaired, the supervisor said the township’s DPW will launch an investigation into other sewer lines — which are near the same age as the failed line. Some type of repair program will have to be considered, he said.

As a result of the damaged sewer main, Washington Township residents are advised to:

• Conserve the use of household water through Friday. Consider using paper plates to avoid having to use water to wash dishes.

• Avoid showering and using the dishwasher and/or washing machines.

• Minimize flushing — if possible, only flush when solids are in the toilet.

• Turn off the water to brush teeth.

In addition, Washington Township and Macomb Township residents are advised to:

• Avoid direct contact with the Middle Branch of the Clinton River

• If you have contact with human sewage, wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling human waste or sewage, including before eating or drinking, and after using the toilet

• Avoid touching face, mouth, eyes, nose, or open sores and cuts while handling human waste or sewage.

• Keep open sores, cuts, and wounds covered with clean, dry bandages.

• Use waterproof gloves to prevent cuts and contact with human waste or sewage.

• Do not smoke or chew tobacco or gum while handling human waste or sewage.

• Gently flush eyes with safe water if human waste or sewage comes into contact with the eyes.

• Talk to your doctor or nurse about any symptoms of being sick from sewage.

• Seek appropriate treatment from your doctor if diagnosed with a bacterial or viral illness, or parasite.