ORANGE — The Sewer Commission held an emergency meeting Saturday to authorize the rental of a bypass system as a temporary remedy until a failed influent pump can be replaced at the Orange Wastewater Treatment Facility at 295 West Main St.

Wastewater Superintendent Oscar Rodriguez said the 21-year-old influent pump, which failed on Friday, is one of three on site designed to take in sewage from the facility’s collection system and distribute it throughout the rest of the wastewater system.

“It’s very important,” Rodriguez said in a phone interview on Monday. “It’s probably one of the most important systems at the plant.”

The town is in the process of upgrading its wastewater treatment system.

Rodriguez said the sewer commissioners, who primarily serve as the Selectboard, authorized the rental from Sunbelt Rentals. He expects the bypass system will be delivered by the end of the week.

Rodriguez, who took over for Edward Billiel Jr. on July 1, explained the bypass system consists of two electrical pumps that are hardwired into the wastewater system and two diesel-powered pumps that are meant to alleviate any issue with the electrical pumps.

“We’re now focused on moving forward and hopefully getting back on track to replacing the pump that failed,” he noted.

Rodriguez said Monday that workers with Clean Harbors, an environmental and industrial services company, were on site at the Orange Wastewater Treatment Facility in case there was inflow at a greater rate than normal following Sunday’s rainfall.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.