DOVER, DE--(Marketwire - May 10, 2012) - Rick Garloff of Harbeson, DE, a Plant Operator for Tidewater Utilities, Inc., has been awarded the Delaware 2011 Operator of the Year Award. Mr. Garloff received this honor during a ceremony held on May 3, 2012 at Delaware Technical & Community College, Owens Campus.

The statewide Operator of the Year Awards ceremony serves to highlight the role of Delaware's water and wastewater operators in protecting the environment. Award winners are chosen for their "outstanding technical excellence and exemplary work ethic contributing to the high level of water quality in Delaware."

Mr. Garloff joined Tidewater in 2002. As a plant operator, he oversees the operation of a variety of water treatment methods every day. One of his major accomplishments included overseeing the implementation of the Company's Supervisory Control Data and Acquisition Center in the Rehoboth District where he was very involved in every step of the process -- from pre-construction meetings to establishing plant parameters to working with the engineering teams to establish communications between independent water plants. He also coordinated equipment placement at each pump house and worked directly with the programming team in ensuring that all control sequences and timers at all plants were functioning smoothly between periods of low to high water demand. The Rehoboth District produces between 6 million and 20 million gallons per week depending on the time of year and encompasses an area 10 miles long and up to 3 miles wide.

"We are thrilled that Rick is the ninth Tidewater employee to receive this prestigious honor. Our company has always prided itself on having a team of dedicated employees who work to ensure that the water quality in the State is kept to the highest standards," said Jerry Esposito, President of Tidewater Utilities, Inc.

Tidewater, established in 1964, provides service to retail water and wastewater customers, south of the C&D Canal. Presently, the Company provides these services to over 42,000 businesses and homes in Delaware. Through its affiliated companies, Tidewater serves a wide range of water and wastewater services including consulting, contract operations, and maintenance, and bulk water supply. Tidewater is a subsidiary of Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: [ MSEX ]). Visit our website at [ www.tuiwater.com ].