SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                            WASHINGTON, DC 20549 
   
                                FORM 10-Q 
   
              QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) 
                 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
 
 
                                                Commission File 
For Quarter Ended: September 30, 1996           No. 0-422   
 
 
                         MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
 
 
 INCORPORATED IN NEW JERSEY                     22-1114430 
(State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.) 
   
1500 RONSON ROAD, ISELIN, NJ	                    08830 
(Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code) 
   
                                (908) 634-1500   
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 
   
   
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed 
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months  
(or for such shorter period that this registrant was required to  
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing  
requirements for the past 30 days. 
   
   
                                YES [X]      NO [ ]    
   
   
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the  
Issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable  
date. 
   
   
Class                                 Outstanding at September 30, 1996 
Common Stock, No Par Value            4,190,378 
   
   
   
   
   
   
                 PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
   
                                MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY   
                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME   
                                (Unaudited)   
   
   
Three Months Nine Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, 1996 1995 1996 1995 __________ __________ __________ __________ Operating Revenues $ 9,934,128 $10,446,934 $28,812,929 $28,794,578 __________ __________ __________ __________ Operating Expenses: Operation and Maintenance 4,614,937 4,428,294 13,886,710 13,050,296 Depreciation 737,088 716,860 2,187,608 2,088,248 Taxes,other than Income Taxes 1,438,272 1,483,365 4,229,269 4,200,353 Federal Income Taxes 747,978 1,029,891 1,960,024 2,412,200 __________ __________ __________ __________ Total Operating Expenses 7,538,275 7,658,410 22,263,611 21,751,097 __________ __________ __________ __________ Utility Operating Income 2,395,853 2,788,524 6,549,318 7,043,481 Other Income(Expense)-Net (86,483) (90,599) (134,256) (99,793) __________ __________ __________ __________ Income Before Interest Charges 2,309,370 2,697,925 6,415,062 6,943,688 Interest Charges 815,756 775,952 2,460,851 2,302,088 __________ __________ __________ __________ Net Income 1,493,614 1,921,973 3,954,211 4,641,600 Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements 39,732 39,731 119,195 119,200 __________ __________ __________ __________ Earnings Applicable to Common Stock $ 1,453,882 $ 1,882,242 $ 3,835,016 $ 4,522,400 __________ __________ __________ __________ Earnings per Share of Common Stock $0.35 $0.46 $0.92 $1.11 __________ __________ __________ __________ Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 4,179,249 4,095,254 4,160,075 4,063,197 Cash Dividends Paid per Common Share $0.27 1/2 $0.27 $0.82 1/2 $0.81 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS AND OTHER DEBITS
September 30, December 31, 1996 1995 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) UTILITY PLANT: Water Production $ 28,113,797 $ 27,598,613 Transmission and Distribution 100,238,955 97,359,802 General 18,236,077 18,169,056 Construction Work in Progress 1,373,774 1,207,538 ___________ ___________ TOTAL 147,962,603 144,335,009 Less Accumulated Depreciation 28,068,139 26,402,377 ___________ ___________ UTILITY PLANT-NET 119,894,464 117,932,632 ___________ ___________ NONUTILITY ASSETS-NET 1,728,496 1,735,048 ___________ ___________ CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and Cash Equivalents 3,858,968 4,900,640 Marketable Securities 1,548 1,548 Temporary Cash Investments-Restricted 78,844 77,190 Accounts Receivable(net of allowance for doubtful accounts) 4,275,983 4,224,653 Unbilled Revenues 2,396,343 2,170,143 Materials and Supplies(at average cost) 1,088,314 1,030,801 Prepayments 547,291 584,124 ___________ ___________ TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 12,247,291 12,989,099 ___________ ___________ DEFERRED CHARGES: Regulatory Assets 7,373,233 7,160,533 Unamortized Debt Expense 2,878,584 2,969,281 Preliminary Survey and Investigation Charges 1,192,284 833,869 Other 1,630,934 1,201,745 ___________ ___________ TOTAL DEFERRED CHARGES 13,075,035 12,165,428 ___________ ___________ TOTAL $146,945,286 $144,822,207 ___________ ___________ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS LIABILITIES AND OTHER CREDITS
September 30, December 31, 1996 1995 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) CAPITALIZATION(see accompanying statements) $104,307,675 $103,269,966 CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts Payable 1,582,389 1,521,515 Current Portion of Long-term Debt 240,000 240,000 Customer Deposits 369,293 348,631 Taxes Accrued 4,699,738 4,321,919 Interest Accrued 470,693 1,216,851 Other 1,469,060 1,161,630 ___________ ___________ TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 8,831,173 8,810,546 ___________ ___________ DEFERRED CREDITS: Customer Advances for Construction 9,042,102 9,207,565 Accumulated Deferred Investment Tax Credits 2,326,655 2,380,416 Accumulated Deferred Federal Income Taxes 11,786,363 11,147,627 Other 2,011,733 1,985,654 ___________ ___________ TOTAL DEFERRED CREDITS 25,166,853 24,721,262 ___________ ___________ CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION 8,639,585 8,020,433 ___________ ___________ TOTAL $146,945,286 $144,822,207 ___________ ___________ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION AND RETAINED EARNINGS
September 30, December 31, 1996 1995 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) CAPITALIZATION: Common Stock,No Par Value Authorizied,6,000,000 Shares Outstanding Shares-1996,4,190,378 1995,4,136,972 $ 29,693,763 $ 28,820,844 Retained Earnings 19,227,607 18,822,817 ___________ ___________ TOTAL COMMON EQUITY 48,921,370 47,643,661 ___________ ___________ Cumulative Preference Stock,No Par Value Authorized,100,000 Shares;Outstanding,None Cumulative Preferred Stock,No Par Value, Authorized,69,418 Shares Convertible: Outstanding,$7 Series - 14,901 Shares 1,564,605 1,564,605 Nonredeemable: Outstanding,$7 Series - 1,017 Shares 101,700 101,700 Outstanding,$4.75 Series - 10,000 Shares 1,000,000 1,000,000 ___________ ___________ TOTAL CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK 2,666,305 2,666,305 ___________ ___________ Long-term Debt: 8.02% Amortizing Secured Note, due December 20,2021 2,500,000 2,500,000 7.00% Promissory Notes,due April 21,2000 960,000 1,200,000 First Mortgage Bonds: 7.25%,Series R,due July 1,2021 6,000,000 6,000,000 5.20%,Series S,due October 1,2022 12,000,000 12,000,000 5.25%,Series T,due October 1,2023 6,500,000 6,500,000 6.40%,Series U,due February 1,2009 15,000,000 15,000,000 5.25%,Series V,due February 1,2029 10,000,000 10,000,000 ___________ ___________ SUBTOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT 52,960,000 53,200,000 Less: Current Portion of Long-term Debt (240,000) (240,000) ___________ ___________ TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT 52,720,000 52,960,000 ___________ ___________ TOTAL CAPITALIZATION $104,307,675 $103,269,966 ___________ ___________
Nine Months Ended Year Ended September 30, December 31, 1996 1995 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) RETAINED EARNINGS: BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 18,822,817 $ 17,699,422 Net Income 3,954,211 5,703,744 ___________ ___________ TOTAL 22,777,028 23,403,166 ___________ ___________ Cash Dividends: Cumulative Preferred Stock 119,195 158,497 Common Stock 3,430,226 4,421,852 ___________ ___________ TOTAL DEDUCTIONS 3,549,421 4,580,349 ___________ ___________ BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD $ 19,227,607 $ 18,822,817 ___________ ___________ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 1995 ___________ ___________ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income $ 3,954,211 $ 4,641,600 Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 2,252,913 2,173,664 Provision for Deferred Income Taxes 638,736 238,643 Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (37,458) (22,764) Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities: Accounts Receivables (51,330) (363,104) Materials and Supplies (57,513) (107,064) Accounts Payable 60,874 (299,873) Accrued Income Taxes 377,819 438,621 Accrued Interest (746,158) (196,486) Unbilled Revenues (226,200) (532,700) Other-Net 159,759 98,108 ___________ ___________ NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 6,325,653 6,068,645 ___________ ___________ CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Utility Plant Expenditures (4,108,309)(6,790,753) Notes Receivable 0 (1,250,000) Marketable Securities 0 (54,279) Preliminary Survey and Investigation Charges (358,415) (116,534) Other-Net (435,883) 178,304 ___________ ___________ NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (4,902,607) (8,033,262) ___________ ___________ CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Redemption of Long-term Debt (240,000) 0 Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt 0 1,200,000 Deferred Debt Issuance Expenses (251) (8,000) Temporary Cash Investments-Restricted (1,654) 214,335 Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock-Net 872,919 1,215,980 Payment of Preferred Dividends (119,195) (118,765) Payment of Common Dividends (3,430,226) (3,288,494) Customer Advances and Contributions-Net 453,689 (98,958) Redemption of Preferred Stock 0 (123,800) ___________ ___________ NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (2,464,718) (1,007,702) ___________ ___________ NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,041,672) (2,972,319) ___________ ___________ CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 4,900,640 3,854,186 ___________ ___________ CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 3,858,968 $ 881,867 ___________ ___________ SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION: Cash Paid During the Period for: Interest(net of amounts capitalized) $ 2,867,452 $ 2,162,361 Income Taxes $ 1,616,998 $ 2,053,000 Excludes Allowance for funds Used During Construction. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization - Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex or the Company) is the parent company and sole shareholder of Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater), Pinelands Water Company, Pinelands Wastewater Company, and Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA). White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater. The financial statements for Middlesex and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (Consolidated Group) are reported on a consolidated basis. The consolidated notes accompanying the 1995 Form 10-K are applicable to this report and, in the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 1996 and the results of operations and its cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995. Information included in the Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1995 has been derived from the Company's audited financial statements included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. Note 2 - Regulatory Matters On February 21, 1996, Pinelands Water and Wastewater Companies filed petitions with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for increases in rates seeking overall increases in revenues of approximately $0.6 million. The Pinelands Companies have requested phasing in the proposed rate increase over a three-year period to minimize the impact on customers. The increase is required to allow proper maintenance, development and improvement of the utility plant and to cover the additional costs of power, chemicals, insurance, labor, benefits, depreciation and taxes. A decision is expected in the fourth quarter of 1996. On April 16, 1996, the Company filed a petition with the BPU seeking approval for a Purchased Water Adjustment Clause (PWAC). A PWAC is a regulatory vehicle that allows New Jersey water utilities to pass along to, or credit, customers changes in the cost of purchasing water, without the need for filing a full base rate case. On October 9, 1996, the Company received approval from the BPU to increase its PWAC rate, which will allow the Company to recover approximately $.2 million in increased purchased water costs. Note 3 - Capitalization Common Stock - During the third quarter, 23,874 common shares ($0.3 million) were issued under the Company's Restricted Stock Plan and the Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan. Long-Term Debt - Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 1996, Tidewater borrowed the remaining amount of $1.0 million available through its amortizing secured term loan agreement resulting in a weighted fixed interest rate of 8.05% on the total $3.5 million borrowed. Monthly principal payments will begin in January 1997 with the final payment due in December 2021. MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 Revenues decreased by 5% or $0.5 million for the third quarter and remained stable for the first nine months of 1996. The decrease in the quarter is the result of lower consumption in New Jersey service territories partially offset by contract services rendered by Utility Service Affiliates, Inc., and increased revenues in Delaware operations, resulting from an increased customer base. Operation and maintenance expenses increased 4.2% for the third quarter and 6.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. This was the result of increased purchased water, chemicals, labor and the inclusion of Pinelands Water and Wastewater Companies for the entire nine month period in 1996. These increases were partially offset by decreases in purchased power, insurance and routine maintenance. Depreciation expense for the third quarter and the first nine months of 1996 increased 2.8% and 4.8%, respectively. These increases reflect the full effect of the acquisition of the Pinelands Companies' fixed assets in April of 1995 and other plant additions of $3.3 million since September 30, 1995. Taxes, other than Income Taxes decreased 3.0% for the quarter due mainly to a decline in revenue based taxes. For the first nine months, there was an increase of less than 1.0%. Federal Income Taxes decreased 27.4% for the quarter and 18.7% year-to- date due to a lower level of taxable income. Interest expense for the third quarter and the first nine months of 1996 increased by 5.1% and 6.9%, respectively, as a result of the long-term financing by Tidewater in late 1995. Capital Resources: The revised consolidated capital program for 1996 is estimated at $7.0 million inclusive of $4.2 million for routine capital expenditures and $2.8 million for special plant additions. The $4.2 million for routine plant items is comprised of $1.4 million for mains, $1.0 million for cleaning and lining, $0.5 million for service lines, $0.4 million for meters, and $0.9 million for various other items. The $2.8 million for special plant additions includes $1.6 million for water systems additions and improvements in Delaware, $0.8 million for plant modifications and improvements, $0.2 million for improvements to the Pinelands Companies' systems, and $0.2 million for miscellaneous items. Liquidity: To finance the 1996 Capital Program, internally-generated cash and cash balances on hand at December 31, 1995 will be utilized. For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, $4.1 million of capital expenditures have been incurred. MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings None Item 2. Changes in Securities None Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities None Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders None. Item 5. Other Information None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K Exhibits - 27 Financial Data Schedule Reports on Form 8-K - None SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized. MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY (Registrant) /A. Bruce O'Connor/ Date: November 13, 1996 A. Bruce O'Connor Vice President and Controller
 

UT 0000066004 MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY 9-MOS DEC-31-1996 SEP-30-1996 PER-BOOK 119,894,464 1,728,496 12,247,291 13,075,035 0 146,945,286 29,693,763 0 19,227,607 48,921,370 0 2,666,305 52,720,000 0 0 0 240,000 0 0 0 42,397,611 146,945,286 28,812,929 1,960,024 20,303,587 22,263,611 6,549,318 (134,256) 6,415,062 2,460,851 3,954,211 119,195 3,835,016 3,430,226 2,885,250 6,325,653 .92 .92