The Lopez Home Owners Association of Sunrise Beach has received formal recognition of its improved water quality.

The Washington State Department of Health presented the board with the “most improved” award. This is given to water systems that overcame a difficult situation and are now providing excellent service to their customers. The awards dinner was held on May 7. Denise Clifford, director of the Office of Drinking Water, presented the award.

The association was started in the mid 1960s when a development went up on the east side of the island. Eight years ago, the amount of people connected to the water system became so great that the system fell under State legislation instead of county. Although Sunrise Beach had previously met the County specifications for water safety, they did not meet the State’s.

It took a Public Works grant and a year and half installation time, but the association now have an entirely new water system engineered.

Rita Larom, president of the board, credits Utility Manager Steve Cade with helping improve the water system of Sunrise. “He was just amazing his knowledge and skill were both really outstanding.”