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:  December 19, 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:





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





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





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





[  ]  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, receiving approval from the New Jersey Board of
Public Utilities 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:    December
19, 2008





2





























NJ
BPU APPROVES NEW RATES FOR PINELANDS COMPANIES





ISELIN, NJ, December 19, 2008Middlesex Water Company
(NASDAQ:MSEX), today announced that its subsidiaries in Burlington County,
Pinelands Water Company and Pinelands Wastewater Company, have received approval
from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) for a $33,000 or
5.53%  increase in water rates and a $170,000 or 18.3% increase in
wastewater 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 filed for new rates in April of 2008, were seeking the increase
to offset rising costs of maintenance, power, chemicals, business insurance,
labor and benefits, taxes and other operating expense increases experienced
since its last rate increase, which was granted in April 2006.


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.  The Companies plan capital investments which 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.


The
average combined quarterly bill for water and wastewater customer
usage/discharge will rise from $178.82 to $204.70 based on 20,000 metered
gallons (approximately 2,600 cubic feet.) Customers receive a combined bill for
their water and wastewater service.


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, State and regulatory agencies
concerning water and wastewater effluent, 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


(732)
634-1500


www.middlesexwater.com