Braden River Utilities to raise rates

Representatives of Braden River Utilities, the irrigation utility controlled by Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, today told members of the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Board the utilities' rates would be increasing significantly to offset a $2 million project to secure reclaimed water from the city of Sarasota.

Rates for irrigation water will increase Oct. 1 from 60 centers per 1,000 gallons to 90 cents per 1,000 gallons. The change equates to about $4 to $8 per month per household, said Bob Simons, vice president of development for SMR and BRU.

"These are the rates we need to do to improve the service to break even and recover our costs," added Tony Chiofalo, SMR's chief financial officer.

Simsons said using reclaimed water will put BRU more in compliance with efforts of the Southwest Florida Water Management District for utilities to use more reclaimed water, and also will allow BRU to provide better quality water to its customers.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].