DOVER, DE -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/15/09 -- Tidewater Utilities, Inc., a water utility serving over 42,000 businesses and residents throughout Delaware, recently honored several students for their outstanding water-related projects in the 2009 Sussex County Science Fair.

Award winners were as follows: First Place, Priyen Patel, Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences School, Teacher - Mrs. Michele Thomas. Mr. Patel received a check for $200 for his winning project titled "Magnetized Water." Second Place, Kristin Cooper, Sussex Central High School. Ms. Cooper received a check for $100 for her project entitled, "Polluted vs. Healthy Ponds." Third Place, Matthew Hall, also from Sussex Central High School. Mr. Hall received $50 for his project entitled "Effect of Soil & Water on Plant Growth."

"Tidewater strongly encourages interest in the sciences and is pleased to acknowledge the students' interest in water, a precious resource. We congratulate these students for their hard work, initiative and achievement," said Jerry Esposito, President of Tidewater Utilities, Inc. Mr. Esposito visited winning students' schools and presented each winner with their award.

Tidewater Utilities, Inc. is committed to providing quality water, to investing in its infrastructure, to rigorously testing its water supplies and to educating the public about the value of a clean and plentiful drinking water supply. For additional information about Tidewater Utilities, Inc., please visit www.tuiwater.com. Tidewater is a subsidiary of Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX).

For More Information, please contact:
Carol Murphy
Community Affairs Manager
(302) 734-7500 Ext. 1060

Tidewater Utilities, Inc.
(302) 734-7500

Bernadette Sohler
Vice President - Corporate Affairs
Middlesex Water Company
(732) 638-7549