UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
 Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: September 24, 2007

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEW JERSEY 0-422 22-1114430
(State or other jurisdiction of
Commission incorporation
organization)
(File Number) (I.R.S.Employer or
Identification No.)
 

1500 RONSON ROAD, P.O. BOX 1500, ISELIN, NEW JERSEY 08830
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(732)-634-1500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)

¨  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item. 8.01. Other Events

On September 20, 2007, Dennis Doll, President of Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX) and Vice President/CFO Bruce O’Conner gave a presentation to the Philadelphia Securities Association in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This presentation was accompanied by a power point presentation that outlined the Company’s traditional role, future growth projections and strategy for expanding capabilities. A copy of the slide show is attached as EXHIBIT 99.1 hereto and incorporated by references herein. An archive of the slide presentation will be made available through Middlesex Water’s website located at www.middlesexwater.com.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)     99.1 Copy of Presentation on September 20, 2007

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
(Registrant)

By: s/Kenneth J. Quinn
Kenneth J. Quinn
Vice President, General Counsel,
Secretary and Treasurer

Dated: September 24, 2007


EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Copy of Slide Presentation made on September 20, 2007


“A Provider of Water, Wastewater & Related Services”

Today’s Presenters

Dennis W. Doll, President & CEO

Bruce O’Connor, Vice President & CFO

Forward Looking Statement

     Certain matters discussed in this presentation are forward-looking  
statements intended to qualify for the “safe harbor” from liability
established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  
These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as
such because the context of the statement will include words such
as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” or words of
similar import.  Similarly, statements that describe the Company’s
future plans, objectives, estimates or goals are also forward-
looking statements that are subject to the risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the statements.   

© Middlesex Water Company

 

OVERVIEW

Serve approximately 125,000 retail and
wholesale water customers in New Jersey and
Delaware

Expanded over time to provide a full range of
regulated and non-regulated
water, wastewater
and related services

Cash dividends paid in varying amounts
continually since 1912.

NASDAQ Global Select Market: MSEX

Established in 1897 to
collect, treat and
distribute water for
domestic, commercial,
industrial and fire
protection purposes

© Middlesex Water Company

STATS AT A GLANCE

52-week low/high: $16.93/$20.24

Market capitalization: $249.81 million

Common shares outstanding: 13.2 million

Average daily volume: 30,000 shares (3 months)

Current dividend yield: 3.65%

Institutional Ownership: 25%

As of September 12, 2007

© Middlesex Water Company

 

 

Investor-Owned Water/Wastewater Industry

Capital intensive, high barriers to entry

Significant need for continued capital investment on a national level

Consolidation has left only 11 publicly-traded investor owned-
companies (23 ten years ago)

54,000 community water systems in the U.S.

47,000 serve fewer than 3,000 customers each.

84% of market is government-controlled.

Consolidation and privatization is expected to continue

Rate base/rate of return methodology provides return of and
return on investments plus recovery of operating expenses

© Middlesex Water Company

- Background -

 

Investor-Owned Water/Wastewater Industry

Wastewater is a growing opportunity for

    investor-owned water purveyors.

Skills are complementary

Non-regulated contract operations can be

    an important part of the menu of services

Range of products and services continues to expand

Regulated utilities are only one component (related products and
services continue to expand).

“Water is the next oil.”

© Middlesex Water Company

- Background -

The Middlesex Story

© Middlesex Water Company

 

Build long-term shareholder value by being a
trusted provider of safe, reliable and                 
cost-effective water, wastewater and related
products and services in New Jersey,
Delaware and beyond.

Vision & Strategy

© Middlesex Water Company

Total Customers Served – 125,000

© Middlesex Water Company

 

What We Do

Regulated

Non-regulated

© Middlesex Water Company

What We Do

Any Combination Along the
Public/Private Partnership Continuum

Design

Bid

Build

Private
Contract
Fee (O&M)
Services

Design

Build

Build

Operate

Transfer

Design

Build
Finance
Operate

Build

Own

Operate

Public
Projects

Public Owns
We Operate

Public Owns
& Operates,
We Design
& Build

Public Owns.
We Design,
Build &
Operate

Public Owns. We
Design, Build,
Finance  &
Operate
(Concession Deal)

We Do it All
(Traditional
Regulated Utility
Model)

PUBLIC
Responsibility

PRIVATE
Responsibility

© Middlesex Water Company

 

Our Services

Design, build, own and operate water and wastewater assets

Complementary water and wastewater products & services

Public/Private partnerships

Customers

2006

Renewable Energy:  Good for the
Environment and Good for Business

Solar Panels at Our Largest Treatment Plant

 

Plentiful and Reliable Supply of
Surface Water and Groundwater

Building Our Reputation, Drop by Drop

 

Emergency Planning & Preparedness

Review emergency preparedness plans to ensure the health
and safety of our customers.

Communicate regularly with local emergency management
officials to address crisis planning.

Work with State/County Health Departments to plan for the
fixed distribution of preventive medication to employees in      
an regional emergency.

Member - State Water Sector Security Task Force.

Community Anti-Terrorism Training  (C.A.T. Eyes).

© Middlesex Water Company

Corporate Social Responsibility

 

Building Relationships

Outreach/Education

 

Delivering
Shareholder Value

Prudent Investment In
Regulated Utility Infrastructure

Rate Base/Rate of Return
methodology allows for a
return on prudently
incurred costs to
construct utility assets

How We Deliver
Shareholder Value

Acquisition and Development of
Regulated and Non-Regulated
Businesses and Contracts

Combine organic customer and
utility infrastructure growth with
prudent investments in
additional regulated utilities,
non-regulated contract
operations and complementary
products and services.

 

Maximizing Shareholder Value

Timely/adequate rate case outcomes, minimize  
regulatory lag

Diligently manage costs and drive down both

capital and O&M costs between rate cases

Profitable Growth

Organic customer growth, economies of scale

Acquisitions at reasonable prices

Complementary non-regulated products and
services  with returns greater than achievable in the
regulated environment
                     

The Challenge is Careful Execution of the Plan!

Delaware and  Beyond

 

Privatizations and
acquisitions in NJ, DE
and beyond

Significant
opportunities in both
water and wastewater in
DE and beyond

Wastewater a key
driver of growth

Reputation for sound
technical solutions
spreading beyond NJ &
DE

Complementary
products and services
continue to grow
(LineCare & LineCare
Plus)

The Growth Story

Solid retail and
wholesale revenue base
in NJ

Experience in water and
wastewater contract ops
in both NJ and DE

Purchased TUI in 1992
with 2,400 customers.
Grown to 30,000

TUI operating in 60
active districts in DE:

90+ small plants

183 wells

270+ communities

Entered the regulated
wastewater business in
2005

The Recent Past

The Future

Where’s the Wastewater Treatment Plant?

 

Wastewater Plant

Critical Facilities Blend into the Landscape

ATER COMPANY

IDDLESEX

FINANCIAL

OVERVIEW

 

Performance
(millions except per share amounts)

© Middlesex Water Company

Six  Months

Ended June 30,

2007

2006

Operating Revenues

$ 40.7

$ 39.3

Operating Expenses

$ 30.7

$ 29.1

Net Income

$

5.1

$

4.8

Diluted Earnings per Share

$

0.37

$

0.40

Key Drivers of Performance

Rate increases

Utility plant investment

Customer Growth

Upgrades & Replacements

Variable production costs

Power

Chemicals

Purchased Water

Treatment Residuals

Labor and benefits costs

© Middlesex Water Company

 

Rate Increases

© Middlesex Water Company

Amount

Increase

($ Millions)

Approved

Pinelands

$0.1

4/13/06

Tidewater

$2.1

6/27/06

(Interim Rates – 15%)

Tidewater

$1.8

2/28/07

  

Customer Growth

© Middlesex Water Company

 

Utility Plant
($ millions)

© Middlesex Water Company

2007 Capital Investment

New Jersey

$3.9 million on
infrastructure upgrades
replacements and
RENEW Program

Delaware

$4.9 million on
infrastructure
upgrades,
replacements and
new water and
wastewater
treatment facilities

© Middlesex Water Company

 

Equity Financing

Issued 1,495,000 common shares on 11/02/06
for gross proceeds of $27.6 million

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

            $1.2 Million Annual Inflow

© Middlesex Water Company

2007 Debt Financing

     State Revolving Fund

Delaware                          - $1.0 Million, 20 Years

                                  

New Jersey           - $4.0 Million, 20 Years

             

© Middlesex Water Company

 

Capital Structure
($ millions)

© Middlesex Water Company

% to

6/30/2007

Total

LT Debt

$  130.4

49.3%

Preferred

4.0

1.5%

Common

130.1

49.2%

$  264.5

100.0%

© Middlesex Water Company

2007 Construction Program

                         ($ millions)

Delaware Water Systems

$12.1

Delaware Wastewater Systems

  6.0

MWC RENEW Program

3.9

Other Scheduled Upgrades

Total

$32.1

10.1

 

2007 Construction Funding

                         ($ millions)

SRF Loans

Short Term

Reinvestment Plan

Common Stock Offering

Net Cash Flows

Total Funding

   6.0

  6.0

1.2

8.9

    10.0

$32.1

Dividends

Annual Rate

Quarterly dividends paid since 1912

© Middlesex Water Company

2004

2005

2006

$0.67

$0.68

$0.69

 

Dividends Paid

$0.69

© Middlesex Water Company

2007 Dividend Yield

© Middlesex Water Company

Connecticut Water

3.6%

Middlesex Water

3.6%

Artesian Resources

3.5%

California Water

2.9%

York Water

2.8%

Pennichuck Corp.

2.7%

American States Water

2.3%

Aqua America

2.0%

SJW Corp.

1.9%

Southwest Water

1.7%

 

2006 Total Shareholder Return*

*Dividends plus change in stock price

© Middlesex Water Company

SJW Corp.

74%

American States Water

29%

Middlesex Water

12%

California Water

9%

York Water

6%

Artesian Resources

3%

Pennichuck Corp.

2%

Southwest Water

- 2%

Connecticut Water

- 4%

Aqua America

-15%

A Quality Investment

Stable customer base & excellent regulatory relations

+

Solid balance sheet & financing capability

+

Comprehensive suite of service offerings

+

Further growth and profitability

(expanding markets in NJ, DE and beyond)

+

Experienced management team and active industry leader

+

Reputation as honest and ethical problem-

solver for developers and municipalities

=

Total Shareholder Returns

© Middlesex Water Company

 

For Additional Information about
Middlesex Water Company, visit

www.middlesexwater.com

For Additional Information about
Tidewater Utilities, Inc., visit

www.tuiwater.com

QUESTIONS?

© Middlesex Water Company

A Provider of Water, Wastewater and
Related Products and Services

Thank you for your interest and support!

© Middlesex Water Company