SILVERDALE, Wash. -- A big sewage spill in Silverdale has the Kitsap County Health District warning people not to go near the northern half of Dyes Inlet through Saturday.

On Monday, a sewer main ruptured under a road spilling 20,000 gallons of raw sewage into Strawberry Creek. It then flowed directly into Dyes Inlet.

It prompted a warning from the Kitsap County Health District. Signs are posted, advising locals to stay out of the water on the northern half of the inlet. No wading, swimming or waterskiing and no harvesting shellfish through Saturday.

"Raw sewage contains potential pathogenic viruses or bacteria that present a wide variety of health issues, particularly for children or immune compromise adults. It could lead to illness," said John Kiess of the Kitsap County Health District.

Mother Nature will kill the bacteria in a few days, and tidal currents will dilute the pollution so it's safe to swim here.

The sewer pipe most likely was damaged during construction work several weeks ago and just failed Monday. That pipe has since been fixed, and officials are waiting for the water to clear up.