THREE RIVERS, Mich. (WWMT) — A no contact advisory has been issued Monday for all contact with the St. Joseph River between Three Rivers and Constantine, according to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency.

The tri-county health department said a force main break caused untreated sewage to start spilling from the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant starting around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

The 500,000 gallon spill happened near Three Rivers and started moving downstream towards Constantine, the health agency said.

The concern when you have that amount put into the water is that when folks come in contact with that water it can cause them to experience skin irritation, gastro intestinal upset," Kris Dewey, emergency preparedness coordinator at Branch Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency, said. "If they ingested a significant amount they could have a coliform infection develop.

People are being told to avoid contact with the St. Joseph River between those areas whether it's swimming, boating, kayaking or fishing.

Pets are also at risk of becoming ill if ingesting water, according to Dewey.

I have pets and when they get wet they come in the house and start licking their paws and so now they are ingesting that contaminated water," Dewey said. "Same with livestock if you have livestock drinking out of the water you just need to be aware.

Health impacts will depend on the level of exposure, Dewey said.

“We do not anticipate any severe illness with this exposure it’s more of mild symptoms,” Dewey said.

The water in the St. Joseph River will be tested continuously to monitor bacteria levels until they return to normal levels, the health agency said.

Several infectious diseases are connected to contact with fecal bacteria, including hepatitis and dysentery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you or your pet has been in that area of the river at any point since 9:30 p.m. Friday, the health agency says to bathe your pet, wash your entire body and wash your clothes thoroughly to protect yourself from getting sick.

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