Water service was restored Tuesday morning for up to 10,0000 homes and businesses after a water main break in Old Eastern Ave. in Essex, public works officials said.

Kurt Kocher, a spokesman for the Baltimore County Department of Public Works, said the break occurred at the intersection of Back River Neck Rd. and Old Eastern Ave. at about noon Monday. The shutdown of service affected thousands of customers on the Back River Neck Peninsula, he said.

Baltimore County Fire Department and Baltimore County Emergency Management were on the scene to help in the event of emergencies. There was no word Tuesday morning of when nearby streets would be reopened.

The break, which left water running onto Old Eastern Ave., is believed to be in a connection between a 48-inch main and a 12-inch main that was already scheduled for repairs this summer.

The 12-inch main, which is 80 years old, has had multiple breaks over the past year, Kocher said.