NUD Commissioners Appoint Ethan Maiefski as General Manager

New General Manager Has 25 Years of Experience with the District

The Northshore Utility District (NUD) Board of Commissioners appointed Ethan Maiefski as General Manager as of May 6, 2025.  Maiefski has been with NUD for 25 years. The Board of Commissioners chose Maiefski from among more than 47 applicants through a months-long recruitment process that included three rounds of interviews.

“I am very pleased with the unanimous decision of the Board to appoint Ethan Maiefski as our new General Manager,” said Board President Tom Mortimer. “As a NUD employee for the past 25 years, Ethan excelled in his past roles as Maintenance & Operations Director and Assistant General Manager.  Given Ethan’s outstanding professional experience, the Board and NUD employees have great confidence in Ethan’s leadership and know the District is in good hands going forward.”

Maiefski started his career with NUD as a seasonal employee in 1999. He has been promoted through every position in the Maintenance & Operations division including Director. In 2023, Maiefski was promoted to the position of Assistant General Manager.  He is known as a leader who invests in his teams, providing professional development opportunities and mentorship as well as technical expertise of the industry.

“I’m grateful for the many opportunities that the District has provided,” said Maiefski. “Clean water is critical for survival. There is a great sense of accomplishment that comes with knowing our customers can depend on us day in and day out to deliver vital services.”

The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and management of District operations. In addition to work culture improvements, the District has recently undergone a budget and rate realignment to ensure future stability.  Maiefski will be continuing to build on the organization’s strengths with a focus on consistency and empowering all employees to share ideas for improvement.

 

Media Contact:

JoDean Sharp, Human Resources Manager
Northshore Utility District
jsharp@nud.net | (425) 521-3740


2025 Rate Notification

Northshore Utility District (NUD) is committed to providing reliable water and sewer services now and for decades to come. However, a recent analysis revealed that NUD’s current rates do not fully cover the actual cost of providing services. 

Wholesale water supply and sewage treatment costs account for 74% of our annual budget. Outside of these costs, numerous other factors are considered when evaluating revenue needs to provide safe and reliable services. These include analyzing costs related to personnel, security, technology, fuel, power, communications, construction, insurance, and local municipal fees. If rates do not cover these costs, the District is at risk of operating at a deficit and/ or failing to provide reliable services. 

At its April 21, 2025 meeting, the NUD Board of Commissioners took several actions to better align rates with the cost of delivering services such as: 

  • Discontinuing the 5% early pay discount to offset higher rate increases 
  • Minimizing increases to water rates by 4.5% and only increasing sewer rates by 5.8% (a pass-through increase from King County) to achieve full cost recovery and maintain a capital reserve 
  • Revising the current Low-Income Discount Program and expanding access to customers 

This decision was reached after conducting open public hearings on April 7 and April 21, 2025. The 2025 Rate Resolution was adopted and will be applied to all utility bills sent after April 21, 2025, regardless of when service is rendered. NUD strives to keep rates as low as possible. However, these adjustments to the rate structure are necessary to ensure continued service reliability. 

Letters have been sent to NUD customers. Click here to download a copy of the letter..

Rate payers are the owners of this utility, and as your elected Board of Commissioners, we take great pride in representing you. We are focused on being an effective governing body that establishes policies to ensure high quality drinking water and sewer services are provided in an affordable, sustainable manner. 

We welcome the opportunity to discuss District policies or the future direction of the District with you. Find contact information for the Board of Commissioners here.


Spring 2025 Newsletter

The Flow: Spring 2025 Edition

Our spring newsletter is now available! Meet NUD's information technology team, learn how to diagnose and fix a water pressure problem, and find tips for water-smart gardening. Happy reading!

The Flow: Spring 2025

Past editions of The Flow


Fall 2024 Newsletter Header

The Flow: Fall 2024 Edition

Our fall newsletter is now available! Meet NUD's newest leadership team members, learn how to protect your pipes from freezing, and read about what Rep. Duerr is doing for sewer and water districts. Happy reading!

The Flow: Fall 2024

Past editions of The Flow


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The Flow: Summer 2024 Edition

Our summer newsletter is now available! Meet NUD's Administrative Team, learn how NUD is staying ahead of lead and copper laws, and more. Happy reading!

The Flow: Summer 2024

Past editions of The Flow


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2024 Rate Notification

The decision to raise rates is an issue every responsible utility must face. Northshore Utility District (NUD) did not raise water rates between 2017 and 2022. This is possible largely due to NUD’s unique water supply contract with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). However, other rising operational costs have been impactful in maintaining safe and reliable water services.

Sewer services have seen similar increases as water. King County Wastewater Treatment Division raised its costs by 5.8% annually over the past three years. This increase is being treated as a pass-through cost to District customers, along with NUD’s rising operational costs. This decision was reached after conducting an open public hearing held on April 1, 2024.

The 2024 Rate Resolution was adopted and applied to all utility bills sent after April 2, 2024, regardless of when service is rendered.

Please read the 2024 Rate Notification Letter for more information.

Sprinklers watering green grass, offering savvy gardening insights, with a blurred sunny background.

Savvy Gardening Classes and Weekly Watering Advice

Are you ready to up your gardening game and get the inside track on watering? Check out these helpful resources:

Savvy Gardening Classes
The Saving Water Partnership sponsors free gardening classes in the spring and fall to help you create and maintain beautiful, healthy landscapes that use water wisely. Upcoming topics include: tips for first-time gardeners, attracting bees and butterflies to gardens, weed wars, and four seasons of color. Find the full schedule and registration information at www.savingwater.org/lawn-garden/gardening-classes. Early registration is recommended as many classes fill up fast.

Weekly Watering Advice

If you want to keep your lawn green all summer long, the amount of water your lawn needs changes every week according to the weather and length of day. Regularly adjusting the watering schedule of your automatic irrigation system (unless you have a smart timer) will help you maintain a healthy, beautiful lawn and avoid wasting water. If you would like to receive a weekly watering advice email for the King County area courtesy of the Saving Water Partnership between April and October each year, complete this form. More information is available at savingwater.org.

NUD office building

SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 1: Rate Adjustment & Rate Resolution Hearing

A special meeting and public hearing regarding the rate adjustment & rate resolution (first reading) will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024. The special meeting will take place during the regular Board of Commissioners meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in-person and remote. To participate in the meeting remotely, please contact Brenda Smith at bsmith@nud.net before 2:00 p.m. on April 1, 2024.

 


Flow 2024 Issue 1

The Flow: Check Out the First Issue of 2024!

Our first newsletter of 2024 is out! Did you know there are things you can do this spring to make your yard more water efficient in the summer? Also: meet our engineering department, and learn all about water and wastewater utilities. Did you know there are more than 140,000 public water systems in the U.S.?! Happy reading!

The Flow: Spring 2024

Past editions of The Flow


Water supply conditions return to normal.

Water Supply Conditions Return to Normal

Thank you, Northshore Utility District customers! Thanks to the recent rains in our mountain watersheds and your help in reducing water, we are no longer facing a potential water shortage. Customers can return to normal water use.

In September, we asked customers to voluntarily reduce their water usage after an unusually dry summer and a forecasted dry fall and winter. Currently, fall rains have increased our water storage to 100% of normal in the Cedar and Tolt watersheds.

Even though our mountain reservoirs are replenished, using water more efficiently year-round helps stretch our supply for current and future generations. Water conservation can help keep water bills as low as possible, and in many cases, reducing water use can also reduce your sewer bill. Find water-saving tips at savingwater.org.

We thank you for reducing your water use so that there is enough water for both people and fish!