BUTLER TWP — The Butler Area Sewer Authority on Wednesday approved a $2 per month increase in sewage fees that goes into effect Friday.

The increase will be used to pay the debt service on the more than $30 million bond issue the authority took out to pay for its seven stormwater storage tanks, which was ordered by the state Department of Environmental Protection to stop sewage discharges during heavy rain and snow melts.

Ronata Lavorini, the authority’s finance director, said the increase is $2 per month per equivalent dwelling unit, EDU. BASA has 23,033 EDUs from which it receives revenue.

Based on quarterly billing, that would take the average residential customer’s bill from $81 per quarter to $87 per quarter.

Lavorini said billing of commercial and industrial customers would include the same $2 per month per EDU increase if the authority board approves the 2011-12 proposed $8.67 million budget. It’s an increase of $563,000 over the 2010-11 budget.

The board should vote on the budget July 12.

The board approved the sewage rate increase with three affirmative votes and an abstention from Michael English. Board member Joseph Lucas was absent.

When asked about his vote, English said the increase is not needed now. When asked why he abstained instead of voting against the measure, he said, “You can consider the abstention a no vote.”