Middlesex Water subsidiary Tidewater Utilities acquires Ocean View Water Systems

Middlesex Water Company announced that its subsidiary, Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (TUI), completed its acquisition of the water system assets of the Town of Ocean View (TOV) in Sussex County, Delaware for $4.6 million.

“We are delighted to welcome Ocean View residents as our newest Tidewater customers,” said Bruce E. Patrick, President of TUI. “Maintaining the same water rates for all Ocean View residents during this transition is of the utmost importance to our team. We remain steadfast in our commitment of delivering clean, safe, reliable water service to our customers and remaining good community partners, just as we have for the past 17 years.”

The newly acquired TOV water system serves approximately 900 customers, who have been receiving water supply from TUI since the system was constructed in 2008. TUI also has been providing water distribution, meter reading, customer billing, and operational services to TOV during this time through its subsidiary, White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc.

On February 19, 2025, the Delaware Public Service Commission approved TUI’s application to purchase the water assets of TOV and the right to provide water service to its existing customers.

“The sale of the Ocean View water distribution system to Tidewater Utilities presents benefits to the Town in several ways,” said Town Manager Carol Houck. “First and foremost, it ensures rate equity to our former water customers as Tidewater is subject to the regulations of the Delaware Public Service Commission. Likewise, Tidewater, a trusted partner to the Town for many years, will enhance customer service options to our former customers.”