BUTLER TWP — About 25 people gathered Thursday evening at a public forum to discuss the potential sale of the local sewage system.

Officials from Butler Area Sewer Authority, which runs the sewer system; the Pennsylvania American Water Company, which is looking to buy it; and Butler Township and the city of Butler, answered questions about the proposed sale. Most of the people there were residents of Butler and Butler Township, who voiced their opinions on the sale and its repercussions.

Among those residents was Michael Braunstein, of Butler Township, who sees the sale as a potential improvement.

The forum provided Braunstein the opportunity to ask what the township might do with the money from the sale, and he also voiced his concerns over the sewage system’s aging infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, it is going to cost — they’re talking about putting our rates up,” he said. “Somewhere along the line, they’ll even show you over there how old the pipes are. It’s not just here, it’s everywhere.”

The township had a morning forum and an evening forum Thursday, and the city of Butler also had the same arrangement Tuesday, which 32 people attended.

The open houses allowed people to ask questions and share concerns about the $231.5 million potential sale of the sewer authority to the private company.

Gary Lobaugh, Pennsylvania American spokesperson, said many residents have a lot of concerns about the sale of the sewage system. Most of his interactions at the forums were respectful.

“People have been positive about what we have to offer and what a change in ownership of the sewer system might look like,” he said.

Lobaugh also said people asked officials of the water company about the potential change in pay rates new ownership could mean. He said he let residents know that Pennsylvania American Water already provides services in Butler County, and many other municipalities across the state.

Lobaugh said the next steps in the sale process fall into the BASA board’s court.

“I will defer to the BASA board for the next steps,” Lobaugh said. “This was an opportunity tonight to learn about us and the service we provide.”