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:  May 2, 2008











MIDDLESEX WATER
COMPANY


(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)








NEW JERSEY
            0-422
            22-1114430(State
      or other jurisdiction of
            (Commission
            (I.R.S.
      Employerincorporation
      or organization)
            File
      Number)
            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:





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





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





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





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

















Item.
8.01.     Other Events





Announcement
regarding Pinelands Water Company and Pinelands Wastewater Company, subsidiaries
of Middlesex Water Company, filing petitions for an increase in rates as set
forth in the attached press release.














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 of the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.











MIDDLESEX
      WATER COMPANY(Registrant)s/Kenneth J.
      QuinnKenneth
      J. QuinnVice
      President, General Counsel,Secretary
      and Treasurer








Dated:    May
2, 2008





2














PINELANDS
COMPANIES FILE FOR RATE INCREASE


DUE
TO INCREASED CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND OPERATING COSTS





ISELIN, NJ, May 2, 2008Middlesex Water Company
(NASDAQ:MSEX), today announced that its subsidiaries in Burlington County,
Pinelands Water Company and Pinelands Wastewater Company, have filed requests
with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) for an increase in rates
to help offset increased costs associated with the operation and maintenance of
the water and wastewater systems as well as increased capital investment in
those systems.




The
companies, which last filed in August of 2005, are requesting the increase to
offset rising costs of maintenance, power, chemicals, business insurance, labor
and benefits, taxes and other operating expense increases experienced since the
2005 filing. Pinelands Water is seeking an overall increase of approximately
$115,000 (19.7%).  Pinelands Wastewater is seeking an increase of
$212,000 (22.8%).




The
companies provide water and wastewater service to approximately 2,400 customers
in the communities of Leisuretowne and Hampton Lakes in Southampton Township,
New Jersey.  Planned capital investments to the systems include
upgrades for chlorination facilities at three of four supply wells, the
completion of an irrigation meter replacement program as well as improvements
within the distribution system facilities, meters and general
equipment.




Should
the proposed increase be approved, the average combined quarterly bill for water
and wastewater customer usage/discharge would rise from $178.82 to $218.08 based
on 20,000 metered gallons (approximately 2,600 cubic feet.) Customers receive a
combined bill for their water and wastewater service.




The
rate proposal will be examined by the NJBPU and the New Jersey Division of
Ratepayer Advocate.  A public hearing on the matter will be scheduled
in the Company’s service area.




Middlesex Water Company, organized in
1897, is an investor-owned water utility and is engaged in the business of
supplying water for domestic, commercial, industrial and fire protection
purposes.  The Company and its New Jersey subsidiaries are subject to
the regulations of the NJBPU.  These companies are also subject to
various Federal and State regulatory agencies concerning water quality
standards.




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





Contact:


Bernadette
Sohler, Vice President – Corporate Affairs


Middlesex
Water Company


1500
Ronson Road


Iselin,
New Jersey   08830


www.middlesexwater.com