ISELIN, NJ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/07/08 -- Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX), a leading provider of water and wastewater services in New Jersey and Delaware, today reported operating revenue of $86.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to operating revenue of $81.1 million in 2006. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $11.8 million, up from $10.0 million for the same period in 2006. Earnings applicable to common stock for the year ended December 31, 2007, were $11.6 million, or $0.88 per basic share, compared with $9.8 million, or $0.83 per basic share, in 2006. On a fully diluted basis, earnings per share was $0.87 for 2007, compared to $0.82 per share in 2006.

Middlesex Water President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis W. Doll said, "Our Delaware system, Tidewater Utilities, experienced record water production due to extended warm dry weather during the spring and summer. Customer growth from both new water and wastewater connections in Delaware also contributed to positive financial results. Revenues in our Middlesex system in New Jersey increased predominantly due to rate relief and increased sales to contract customers. We expect to see the full effect of the October 2007 Middlesex rate increase reflected in our 2008 operating revenues."

2007 Operating Results

Consolidated operating revenues rose $5.0 million, or 6.2% over the same period in 2006. Revenues improved by $3.7 million in our Delaware system, of which $2.4 million was a result of a base rate increase that was granted to Tidewater Utilities, Inc. Revenues in our Middlesex system increased by $0.7 million as a result of a 9.1% base rate increase implemented in October 2007. In New Jersey, water sales to contract customers improved by $0.3 million. Customer growth and higher consumption contributed $1.9 million of additional revenues. New customer connections to existing and new wastewater systems in Delaware added $0.3 million.

Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased $3.7 million, up 6.2%, from 2006. Labor costs increased by $1.3 million, additional power costs increased by $0.6 million and costs of pumping and water treatment rose $0.2 million. Repair costs for water main breaks were $0.2 million higher than the same period in 2006. The cost to operate wastewater facilities in Delaware increased by $0.2 million as a result of the acquisition of the Milton, DE wastewater system during the year. Depreciation expense rose by $0.5 million as we continue to construct additional utility plant to accommodate growth in our Delaware service territories. Other taxes increased by $0.4 million reflecting higher assessments for real estate and increased gross receipts taxes in New Jersey. All other operating costs increased by $0.3 million.

Fourth Quarter Results

For the three month period ended December 31, 2007, operating revenues increased to $21.2 million, up from $19.2 million, for the same period in 2006. This increase was largely due to rate relief, customer growth and higher consumption. Total operating expenses increased to $16.3 million, up from $14.8 million for the same period in 2006.

Net income increased to $2.6 million, up from $1.9 million, in 2006. The increase of $0.7 million was due in part to higher operating revenues, the sale of certain water service rights in Delaware and the recognition of tax credits for the construction of a solar energy facility. Earnings applicable to common stock were $2.5 million, compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2006. Basic and diluted earnings per share remained at $0.19 and $0.14, respectively, for both in 2007 and 2006.

Company Quarterly Dividend

Middlesex Water paid a quarterly dividend of $0.1750 per share on the Common Stock on March 1, 2008, to stockholders of record as of February 15, 2008. The Company has paid cash dividends in varying amounts continually since 1912.

About Middlesex Water Company

Middlesex Water Company, organized in 1897, is a water utility serving customers in central and southern New Jersey and in the State of Delaware. The Company and its New Jersey subsidiaries -- Pinelands Water Company and Pinelands Wastewater Company -- are subject to the regulations of the Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey. Middlesex Water Company operates the water and wastewater utilities for the City of Perth Amboy through its subsidiary, Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc. Middlesex Water also provides contract operations services and a service line maintenance program through its non-regulated subsidiary, Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. The Company's regulated Delaware subsidiaries, Tidewater Utilities, Inc., together with Southern Shores Water Company and Tidewater Environmental Services Inc., are subject to the regulations of the Public Service Commission in Delaware. White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. operates small water and wastewater systems under contract on a non-regulated basis in Delaware.

These companies are also subject to various Federal and State regulatory agencies concerning water, and wastewater effluent, quality standards.

For additional information regarding Middlesex Water Company, visit the Company's web site at www.middlesexwater.com or call (732) 634-1500.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, our long-term strategy and expectations, the status of our acquisition program, the impact of our acquisitions, the impact of current and projected rate requests and the impact of our capital program on our environmental compliance. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including: general economic business conditions, unfavorable weather conditions, the success of certain cost containment initiatives, changes in regulations or regulatory treatment, availability and the cost of capital, the success of growth initiatives and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                          MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  (In thousands except per share amounts)

                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                                      2007         2006
                                                  ===========  ===========

Operating Revenues                                $    86,114  $    81,061
                                                  -----------  -----------

Operating Expenses:
  Operations                                           42,117       39,799
  Maintenance                                           4,123        3,546
  Depreciation                                          7,539        7,060
  Other Taxes                                           9,664        9,338
                                                  -----------  -----------

    Total Operating Expenses                           63,443       59,743
                                                  -----------  -----------

Operating Income                                       22,671       21,318
                                                  ===========  ===========

Other Income (Expense):
  Allowance for Funds Used During Construction            537          632
  Other Income                                          1,153          160
  Other Expense                                          (163)         (18)
                                                  -----------  -----------

Total Other Income, net                                 1,527          774
                                                  -----------  -----------

Interest Charges                                        6,619        7,012
                                                  -----------  -----------

Income before Income Taxes                             17,579       15,080
                                                  ===========  ===========

Income Taxes                                            5,736        5,041
                                                  -----------  -----------

Net Income                                             11,843       10,039

Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements                     248          248
                                                  -----------  -----------

Earnings Applicable to Common Stock               $    11,595  $     9,791
                                                  ===========  ===========

Earnings per share of Common Stock:
  Basic                                           $      0.88  $      0.83
  Diluted                                         $      0.87  $      0.82

Average Number of
 Common Shares Outstanding:
  Basic                                                13,203       11,844
  Diluted                                              13,534       12,175

Cash Dividends Paid per Common Share              $     0.693  $     0.683

Contact:
Bernadette Sohler
Vice President - Corporate Affairs
Middlesex Water Company
1500 Ronson Road
Iselin, New Jersey   08830
www.middlesexwater.com