<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>6
<FILENAME>ex-23.txt
<TEXT>

                                                                      Exhibit 23

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  in  Registration  Statement  No.
33-11717  on Form S-3 of our  reports  dated  March 15,  2005,  relating  to the
financial  statements of Middlesex Water Company and management's  report on the
effectiveness  of internal control over financial  reporting,  appearing in this
Annual  Report  on Form  10-K of  Middlesex  Water  Company  for the year  ended
December 31, 2004.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Parsippany, New Jersey
March 16, 2005


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
