ISELIN, NJ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/16/06 -- Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX), a provider of water, wastewater and related services in New Jersey and Delaware, today reported earnings applicable to common stock of $8.2 million, or $0.72 per basic share, for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared with $8.2 million, or $0.74 per basic share, in 2004. On a fully diluted basis, earnings per share was $0.71 for 2005 compared to $0.73 per share in May 2004. Earnings per share decreased by $0.02, due to the full effect of the 700,000 common stock share offering in 2004 and shares issued under the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan during 2005.

"The Company received needed rate relief of $4.8 million in annual revenues in 2005 of which $4.3 million was awarded in December. In addition, numerous capital projects were completed in 2005, including installation of a new raw water pipeline, installation of solar electric generation, continued investment in the integrity of our utility infrastructure and the creation of a regulated wastewater business in Delaware," said Dennis W. Doll, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Furthermore, we devoted considerable effort in 2005 focusing on the fundamental aspects of our business and developing additional plans to contribute to long-term value," added Doll.

2005 Operating Results

Consolidated operating revenues grew $3.6 million to $74.6 million, up 5.1% over the same period in 2004. Water sales improved by $3.6 million in the Middlesex system, of which $1.8 million was a result of base rate increases that were granted to Middlesex in May 2004 and December 2005, and $1.8 million was due to increased consumption due to favorable summer weather as compared to the prior year. Customer growth of 9.2% and higher base rates, in Delaware, provided $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of additional revenues. New unregulated wastewater contracts in Delaware added marginally to revenues.

Additional capital investment in utility infrastructure of $25.3 million, together with increased operating costs, contributed to the need for rate relief in regulated businesses. The Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater Companies, subsidiaries in Burlington County, New Jersey, have petitioned the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for base rate increases. A decision is expected during the second quarter of 2006. Tidewater Utilities, Inc., one of the Company's Delaware subsidiaries, expects to file for rate relief in the second quarter of 2006. In 2005, operation and maintenance expenses increased $2.2 million or 5.4% as compared to the same period in 2004, mostly due to increased payroll and employee benefit costs, production, treatment, and power expenses.

Company Pays Quarterly Dividend

Middlesex Water paid a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share on the Common Stock on March 1, 2006, to stockholders of record as of February 15, 2006. The Company has paid cash dividends in varying amounts continually since 1912. Middlesex Water has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan under which dividends and optional cash payments can be used to purchase additional shares of Common Stock.

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. (TESI), are subject to the regulations of the Public Service Commission in Delaware. TESI was established in 2004 to provide regulated wastewater utility services. 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.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" regarding the Company's results of operations and financial position. Such statements address future plans, objectives, expectations and events concerning various matters such as capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, growth potential, rates, regulatory matters, liquidity, capital resources and accounting matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

                       MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                        Years Ended December 31,
                                  2005            2004            2003
                              ============    ============    ============


Operating Revenues            $ 74,613,305    $ 70,991,146    $ 64,111,214
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Operating Expenses:
  Operations                    38,635,382      36,519,355      32,666,099
  Maintenance                    3,519,914       3,464,036       3,529,113
  Depreciation                   6,460,241       5,846,191       5,362,727
  Other Taxes                    8,779,325       8,228,354       7,815,918
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Total Operating Expenses        57,394,862      54,057,936      49,373,857
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Operating Income                17,218,443      16,933,210      14,737,357
                              ============    ============    ============


Other Income (Expense):
  Allowance for Funds Used
   During Construction             547,714         606,019         315,919
  Other Income                     219,572         221,950         131,499
  Other Expense                    (27,593)        (32,676)        (89,931)
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Total Other Income, net            739,693         795,293         357,487
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Income before Interest
 and Income Taxes               17,958,136      17,728,503      15,094,844
                              ============    ============    ============

Interest Charges                 6,244,671       5,468,576       5,227,030
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Income before Income Taxes      11,713,465      12,259,927       9,867,814
                              ============    ============    ============
Income Taxes                     3,237,324       3,814,418       3,237,218
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Net Income                       8,476,141       8,445,509       6,630,596

Preferred Stock Dividend
 Requirements                      251,286         254,786         254,786
                              ------------    ------------    ------------

Earnings Applicable to
 Common Stock                 $  8,224,855    $  8,190,723    $  6,375,810
                              ============    ============    ============

Earnings per share of
 Common Stock:
  Basic                       $       0.72    $       0.74    $       0.61
  Diluted                     $       0.71    $       0.73    $       0.61

Average Number of Common
 Shares Outstanding:
  Basic                         11,444,785      11,079,835      10,475,295
  Diluted                       11,783,925      11,422,975      10,818,435

Cash Dividends Paid per
 Common Share                 $      0.673    $      0.663    $      0.649

For More Information, Please call:
Bernadette Sohler
Communications Director
(732) 634-1500