News Briefs

+ BRU adjusts watering rates, schedule
Irrigation utilities provider Braden River Utilities announced March 30 it will raise rates for water by 20 cents per 1,000 gallons effective May 1.

That cost likely will be passed to residents of Lakewood Ranch, who receive irrigation water from BRU, through their community development district assessments.

The utility also plans to implement a new watering schedule for Lakewood Ranch residents. Starting June 1, irrigation watering will be limited to 30 minutes per household once a month during the rainy season and 15 minutes twice a month during the dry season.

The fee changes offset costs associated with the BRU expansion project, which should be finished by the end of April.

The watering limits will further Lakewood Ranch’s vision to be a “green” community, officials said.

+ Special piranhas to populate local ponds
Leaders in Lakewood Ranch Town Hall’s operations department have announced they will use a carp-eating species of piranhas to balance aquatic life in Lakewood Ranch’s retention ponds.

Town Hall staff began using carp to control algae blooms in the lakes more than two years ago; however, the carp have become overpopulated and are eating good vegetation in the lakes.

The piranhas will stabilize the carp population, officials said.

The piranhas, although aggressive, should not pose any safety hazards.

“Swimming isn’t allowed in the lakes, anyway,” officials said.

+ SMR to open road at a cost to drivers
Leaders of Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch say they will open the extension of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, if a traffic accident blocks Interstate 75 again.

SMR will charge $8 per vehicle to use the roadway.

SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen said a portion of the toll — likely 1% — will benefit a local charity.

 Hopefully you made it to the end of the article, so we can say, Happy April Fools' Day! This story is not true.