-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 D+Yr/fWqik5UtwwJAyoBaFh/TyngfP4OLnt5XR5Bhn1Go0pobjF6ravy5T42gPur
 KVi3FNf5DXiL+O5rW34XMw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914317-03-001961.txt : 20030707
<SEC-HEADER>0000914317-03-001961.hdr.sgml : 20030704
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030707102429
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914317-03-001961
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030702
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030707

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLESEX WATER CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000066004
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WATER SUPPLY [4941]
		IRS NUMBER:				221114430
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 RONSON RD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1500
		CITY:			ISELIN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7326341500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 RONON ROAD
		CITY:			ISELIN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLETON JOHN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185358

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00422
		FILM NUMBER:		03776228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MIDDLESEX WATER CO
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1500
		CITY:			ISELIN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7326341500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1500
		CITY:			ISELIN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08830
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4-53067_jmiddletonex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   04/22/03  TZ    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-07-02</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000066004</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MIDDLESEX WATER CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MSEX</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
      <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185358</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MIDDLETON JOHN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
       </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>1988-08-08</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
     <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>1050</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock (Dividend Reinvestment)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-07-02</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>434</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>23.0123</value>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
     <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>2417</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ M.F. Reynolds, Power of Attorney For John R. Middleton</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-07-02</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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