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ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORP - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)

form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007

Or

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  _____  to  _____

Commission file number 000-18516
 
ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
51-0002090
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

664 Churchmans Road, Newark, Delaware
19702
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(302) 453 – 6900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

x  Yes                     o  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
o  Yes                     x  No

As of October 31, 2007, 6,399,536 shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock and 881,452 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.
 




ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

Part I
-
Financial Information:
 
       
Item 1  
-
Page(s)
 
     
   
3
   
 
 
   
4
   
 
 
   
5
   
 
 
   
6
       
   
6 - 7
   
 
 
   
8 – 12
   
 
 
Item 2  
-
13 – 20
   
 
 
Item 3  
-
20
   
 
 
Item 4  
-
21
       
Part II
-
Other Information:
 
       
Item 1  
-
21
   
 
 
Item 1A   
-
21
   
 
 
Item 6  
-
21
   
 
 
22
 
2


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In thousands)

   
September 30, 
2007
   
December 31, 
2006
 
ASSETS
           
Utility plant, at original cost less accumulated depreciation
  $
267,462
    $
253,182
 
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
   
8,867
     
1,414
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
5,269
     
3,416
 
Unbilled operating revenues
   
3,716
     
2,655
 
Materials and supplies-at cost on FIFO basis
   
1,137
     
1,054
 
Prepaid property taxes
   
1,589
     
924
 
Prepaid expenses and other
   
1,270
     
782
 
Total current assets
   
21,848
     
10,245
 
Other assets
               
Non-utility property (less accumulated depreciation 2007-$171; 2006-$146)
   
294
     
307
 
Other deferred assets
   
4,001
     
3,745
 
Total other assets
   
4,295
     
4,052
 
Regulatory assets, net
   
1,750
     
1,881
 
    $
295,355
    $
269,360
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Stockholders' equity
               
Common stock
  $
7,279
    $
6,086
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
65,086
     
45,052
 
Retained earnings
   
12,648
     
10,662
 
Total stockholders' equity
   
85,013
     
61,800
 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
   
91,799
     
92,073
 
     
176,812
     
153,873
 
                 
Current liabilities
               
Lines of Credit
   
---
     
7,906
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
315
     
310
 
Accounts payable
   
2,515
     
2,790
 
Accrued expenses
   
2,889
     
3,287
 
Overdraft payable
   
3,886
     
1,990
 
Deferred income taxes
   
535
     
284
 
Interest accrued
   
483
     
360
 
Customer deposits
   
653
     
472
 
Other
   
2,224
     
1,723
 
Total current liabilities
   
13,500
     
19,122
 
Deferred credits and other liabilities
               
Net advances for construction
   
24,195
     
24,991
 
Postretirement benefit obligation
   
927
     
927
 
Deferred investment tax credits
   
744
     
765
 
Deferred income taxes
   
24,829
     
21,505
 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
   
50,695
     
48,188
 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Net contributions in aid of construction
   
54,348
     
48,177
 
    $
295,355
    $
269,360
 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

3


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

   
For the Quarter
 
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
OPERATING REVENUES
     
Water sales
  $
13,853
    $
12,231
 
Other utility operating revenue
   
357
     
267
 
Non-utility revenue
   
836
     
374
 
Gain on sale of land
   
---
     
1,322
 
     
15,046
     
14,194
 
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
               
Utility operating expenses
   
6,389
     
6,240
 
Non-utility operating expenses
   
619
     
289
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
1,339
     
1,237
 
State and federal income taxes
   
1,814
     
1,599
 
Property and other taxes
   
750
     
648
 
     
10,911
     
10,013
 
                 
OPERATING INCOME
   
4,135
     
4,181
 
                 
OTHER INCOME, NET
               
Allowance for funds used during construction
   
78
     
100
 
Miscellaneous
   
42
      (31 )
                 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES
   
4,255
     
4,250
 
 
               
INTEREST CHARGES
   
1,492
     
1,643
 
 
               
NET INCOME
  $
2,763
    $
2,607
 
                 
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
               
Basic
  $
0.38
    $
0.43
 
                 
Diluted
  $
0.37
    $
0.42
 
                 
CASH DIVIDEND PER COMMON SHARE
  $
0.1660
    $
0.15
 
                 
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
               
Basic
   
7,277
     
6,065
 
                 
Diluted
   
7,425
     
6,247
 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

4


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

   
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
OPERATING REVENUES
           
Water sales
  $
36,505
    $
33,253
 
Other utility operating revenue
   
1,259
     
779
 
Non-utility revenue
   
1,799
     
1,342
 
Gain on sale of land
   
 ---
     
1,322
 
     
39,563
     
36,696
 
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
               
Utility operating expenses
   
19,632
     
18,210
 
Non-utility operating expenses
   
1,217
     
892
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
3,842
     
3,422
 
State and federal income taxes
   
3,420
     
3,127
 
Property and other taxes
   
2,131
     
1,922
 
     
30,242
     
27,573
 
                 
OPERATING INCOME
   
9,321
     
9,123
 
                 
OTHER INCOME, NET
               
Allowance for funds used during construction
   
213
     
219
 
Miscellaneous
   
464
     
349
 
                 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES
   
9,998
     
9,691
 
                 
INTEREST CHARGES
   
4,808
     
4,729
 
                 
NET INCOME
  $
5,190
    $
4,962
 
                 
                 
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
               
Basic
  $
0.78
    $
0.82
 
                 
Diluted
  $
0.77
    $
0.80
 
                 
CASH DIVIDEND PER COMMON SHARE
  $
0.492
    $
0.45
 
                 
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
               
Basic
   
6,619
     
6,047
 
                 
Diluted
   
6,771
     
6,232
 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

5


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS
Unaudited
(In thousands)

   
For the Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
             
Balance, beginning of period
  $
10,662
    $
10,330
 
Net income
   
5,190
     
4,962
 
     
15,852
     
15,292
 
Less:   Dividends
   
3,204
     
2,742
 
Stock Split
   
---
     
2,024
 
Balance, end of period
  $
12,648
    $
10,526
 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 

ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited
(In thousands)

   
For the Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
NET INCOME
  $
5,190
    $
4,962
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
3,842
     
3,422
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
3,554
     
3,116
 
Stock Compensation
   
108
     
252
 
Allowance for funds used during construction
    (213 )     (219 )
Gain on sale of land
   
---
      (1,322 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    (1,853 )     (334 )
Income tax payable
   
---
      (260 )
Unbilled operating revenues
    (1,061 )     (788 )
Materials and supplies
    (83 )     (38 )
Prepaid property taxes
    (665 )     (536 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (488 )     (330 )
Other deferred assets
    (338 )     (169 )
Regulatory assets
   
131
     
86
 
Postretirement benefit obligation
   
---
      (54 )
Accounts payable
    (275 )    
393
 
Accrued expenses
    (398 )    
1,650
 
Interest accrued
   
123
     
232
 
Customer deposits and other, net
   
682
      (166 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   
8,256
     
9,897
 
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Capital expenditures, net of AFUDC
    (18,588 )     (25,054 )
Investment in Aquastructure
   
---
     
37
 
Proceeds from sale of land
   
---
     
1,330
 
Proceeds from sale of assets
   
24
     
10
 
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (18,564 )     (23,677 )

6


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
Unaudited
(In thousands)

   
For the Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
     
Net borrowings (repayment) under line of credit agreements
    (7,906 )    
5,855
 
Overdraft payable
   
1,896
     
238
 
Net advances and contributions in aid of construction
   
6,042
     
10,472
 
Principal repayments of long-term debt
    (269 )     (258 )
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
21,119
     
1,059
 
Dividends
    (3,204 )     (2,742 )
Deferred debt issuance costs
   
83
     
30
 
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   
17,761
     
14,654
 
                 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
7,453
     
874
 
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
1,414
     
1,359
 
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $
8,867
    $
2,233
 
                 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
               
Interest paid
  $
4,554
    $
4,316
 
                 
Income taxes paid
  $
610
    $
261
 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

7


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – GENERAL

Artesian Resources Corporation, or Artesian Resources, operates as a holding company, whose income is derived from the earnings of our six wholly owned subsidiaries and our one-third interest in AquaStructure Delaware, L.L.C., a limited liability corporation that is inactive.  The terms “we”, “our”, “Artesian” and the “Company” as used herein refer to Artesian Resources and its subsidiaries.

On July 20, 2007, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved Artesian Resources’ acquisition of the Carpenters Point Water Company.  The acquisition was completed on August 7, 2007 in a transaction accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141) and the results of operations are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income as of the August 7, 2007 date of acquisition.  Carpenters Point Water Company serves a 130 home community in Cecil County, Maryland near the Interstate 95 growth corridor between Philadelphia and Baltimore and has sufficient groundwater supply and elevated water storage to serve additional customers in the undeveloped portions of its franchise and surrounding area.  Carpenters Point Water Company has been renamed Artesian Water Maryland, Inc., or Artesian Maryland.

Artesian Water Company, Inc., or Artesian Water, our principal subsidiary, is the oldest and largest public water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula, and has been providing water service since 1905.  Artesian Water distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal and utility customers throughout Delaware.  In addition, Artesian Water provides services to other water utilities, including operations and billing functions, and has contract operation agreements with 20 private and municipal water providers.

Artesian Water Pennsylvania, Inc., or Artesian Water Pennsylvania, began operations in 2002, and is providing water service to a residential community, consisting of 39 customers, in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  In 2005, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission approved our application to increase our service area to encompass four specific planned developments.

Another subsidiary of ours, Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc., or Artesian Wastewater, is a regulated entity that owns wastewater infrastructure and provides wastewater services in Delaware.  Artesian Wastewater currently owns and operates five wastewater treatment facilities, which are capable of treating approximately 750,000 gallons per day and can be expanded to treat approximately 1.6 million gallons per day.

Our two other subsidiaries, neither of which is regulated, are Artesian Utility Development, Inc., or Artesian Utility, which designs and builds water and wastewater infrastructure and provides contract water and wastewater services on the Delmarva Peninsula, and Artesian Development Corporation, or Artesian Development, the sole activity of which is the ownership of a six-acre parcel of land zoned for office buildings located immediately adjacent to our corporate headquarters.

On May 1, 2007, Artesian Utility acquired all rights, titles and interest in operations contracts of TMH Environmental Services, Inc. (“TMH”).  TMH, incorporated in Pennsylvania, provided contract water and wastewater operation services to 23 private, municipal and governmental institutions in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania  (the “Contract Parties”).

Stock Compensation Plans

We maintain an equity compensation plan that provides for grants of stock options and restricted stock awards and other forms of stock compensation to our directors, officers and key employees.  Prior to May 25, 2005, we maintained three stock compensation plans.  No further equity compensation can be issued under those plans.  On May 25, 2005, the Company’s stockholders approved a new Equity Compensation Plan, or the Plan, which authorized up to 750,000 shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock for issuance.  The terms and vesting schedules for options granted under the Plan may vary and are set at the time of grant by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Approximately $108,000 in compensation expense was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 for stock options issued under the Plan.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 an expense of approximately $252,000 was recorded for stock options, stock bonus grants and related tax.

8


Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment", and related interpretations ("SFAS No. 123R") using the modified-prospective transition method.  Under this method, compensation cost recognized included (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of January 1, 2006 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123R and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted on or subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.  We use the modified prospective method and estimate the fair value of each option grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  For the nine month period ending September 30, 2007 an expense of $108,000 has been realized for options granted in May 2007 and May 2006, as amortized over the 12-month vesting period.  In comparison, for the same period last year, $252,000 in expense was recorded for stock awards and related tax granted in March and April 2006, and $50,000 recorded for stock options granted in May 2006.  The stock awards were fully vested on the date of grant and were valued at the fair value on the date of the grant.  All options were granted at market value with a 10 year option term with a vesting period of one year from the dates of grant, May 16, 2007 and May 12, 2006.  The fair value of the options that were granted in 2007 and 2006 were estimated using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula, applying the following assumptions:

   
2007
   
2006
 
Expected Dividend Yield
    3.250 %     2.930 %
Expected Stock Price Volatility
   
0.272
     
0.238
 
Weighted Average Risk-Free Interest Rate
    4.690 %     5.030 %
Weighted Average Expected Life of Options (in years) years)
   
6.650
     
3.260
 

For 2007 and 2006, the expected dividend yield is based on a 12 month rolling average of the current dividend yield.  The expected volatility is the standard deviation of the change in the natural logarithm of the stock price (expressed as an annual rate) for the seven year period ended May 31, 2007, and the three year period ended June 30, 2006, for 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The expected life is based on historic exercise patterns for similar grants.  The risk free interest rate is the 7-year Treasury Constant Maturity rate as of the date of the grant for 2007 and the 3-year Treasury Constant Maturity rate as of the date of the grant for 2006.

The following summary reflects changes in the shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock under option:

   
Option
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Yrs.)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
 
Plan options
                       
Outstanding at January 1, 2007
   
595,699
    $
13.832
             
Granted
   
33,750
    $
19.558
             
Exercised
    (37,512 )   $
7.613
             
Canceled
   
---
   
N/A
             
                             
Outstanding at September 30, 2007
   
591,937
    $
14.553
     
5.58
    $
2,809
 
Options exercisable at September 30, 2007
   
558,187
    $
14.250
     
5.34
    $
2,809
 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was approximately $444,000.

9


The following summary reflects changes in the non-vested shares of Class A Stock under option:

Non-vested Shares
 
Option
Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant -Date
Fair Value
Per Option
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2007
   
33,750
    $
3.809
 
Granted
   
33,750
    $
4.847
 
Vested
   
33,750
    $
3.809
 
Canceled
   
---
   
N/A
 
Non-vested at September 30, 2007
   
33,750
    $
4.847
 

As of September 30, 2007, there was $102,000 of total unrecognized expense related to non-vested option shares granted under the Plan.  That cost will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of the unvested options.


NOTE 2 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required in the financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K.  Accordingly, these financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2006 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2007.

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company's balance sheet position as of September 30, 2007 and the results of operations for the nine month and quarterly periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

The results of operations for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or for future periods.


NOTE 3 - REGULATORY ASSETS

Certain expenses are recoverable through rates charged to our customers, without a return on investment, and are deferred and amortized during future periods using various methods as permitted by the Delaware Public Service Commission, or PSC.  Expenses related to applications to increase rates are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of two years.  The postretirement benefit obligation, which is being amortized over 20 years, is adjusted for the difference between the net periodic postretirement benefit costs and the cash payments.  The deferred income taxes will be amortized over future years as the tax effects of temporary differences previously flowed through to the customers reverse.  Regulatory assets net of amortization, are comprised of the following:

   
Unaudited
 
   
September 30,
2007
   
December 31,
2006
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Postretirement benefit obligation
  $
983
    $
1,027
 
Deferred income taxes recoverable in future rates
   
570
     
582
 
Expense of rate proceedings
   
190
     
257
 
Other
   
7
     
15
 
    $
1,750
    $
1,881
 
 
10


Expenses related to the Net Periodic Pension Cost for the postretirement benefit obligation are as follows:

   
Unaudited
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2007
   
2006
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Net Periodic Pension Cost
           
Interest Cost
  $
37
    $
39
 
Amortization of Net Gain
    (17 )     (21 )
Amortization of Transition Obligation
   
6
     
6
 
                 
Total Net Periodic Benefit Cost
  $
26
    $
24
 

Contributions

Artesian Water contributed $70,000 to its postretirement benefit plan in the first nine months of 2007 and expects to contribute another $23,000 for the remainder of the year.  These contributions consist of insurance premium payments for medical, dental and life insurance benefits made on behalf of the Company’s eligible retired employees.


NOTE 4 - NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AND EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the potentially dilutive effect of employee stock options.  The following table summarizes the shares used in computing basic and diluted net income per share:


   
For the Quarter
   
For the Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Average common shares outstanding during the period for Basic computation
   
7,277
     
6,065
     
6,619
     
6,047
 
Dilutive effect of employee stock options
   
148
     
182
     
152
     
185
 
 
                               
Average common shares outstanding during the period for Diluted computation
   
7,425
     
6,247
     
6,771
     
6,232
 

Equity per common share was $11.68 and $10.11 at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  These amounts were computed by dividing common stockholders' equity by the number of shares of common stock outstanding on September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


NOTE 5 - IMPACT OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, FASB, issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB No.115.”  This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  This Statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.  The Company expects to adopt this statement effective January 1, 2008 and does not expect it to have a material effect on the financial statements.

11


NOTE 6 - RATE PROCEEDINGS

In May 2006, Artesian Water filed a petition with the PSC to implement new rates to meet a requested increase in revenue of 23%, or approximately $9.9 million, on an annualized basis.  This request was primarily due to the Company’s significant investment in infrastructure, as well as an approximately 92% increase in purchased power expense due to the expiration of price caps imposed in 1999 when deregulation of the electric industry in Delaware was adopted.  As permitted by law, in July 2006 we placed into effect temporary rates designed to generate an increase in annual operating revenue of approximately 5.9%, or $2.5 million on an annual basis, until new rates were approved by the PSC.

On December 19, 2006 the PSC approved a Settlement Agreement in this case.  The increase in annual revenue requirement under the Settlement Agreement of $6 million will be recovered in two steps.  The first step was placed in effect January 1, 2007 to recover approximately $4.8 million in annual revenue.  The second step was placed in effect July 24, 2007.  The second step rates were designed to recover approximately $1.2 million of annual revenue which reflected the issuance of additional equity of approximately $20 million.

Delaware statute permits water utilities to put into effect, on a semi-annual basis, increases related to specific types of distribution system improvements through a Distribution System Improvement Charge, or DSIC.  This charge is available to water utilities to be implemented between general rate increase applications that normally recognize changes in a water utility’s overall financial position.  The DSIC approval process is less costly when compared to the approval process for general rate increase requests.  The DSIC rate applied between base rate filings is capped at 7.5% of the amount billed to customers under otherwise applicable rates and charges, and the DSIC rate increase applied can not exceed 5% within any 12-month period.  During the first nine months of 2006 we earned approximately $225,000 in revenue.  We did not have DSIC in effect during 2007.
 
 
NOTE 7 – INCOME TAXES
 
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which became effective for the Company as of January 1, 2007.  FIN 48 addresses the determination of how tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements.  Under FIN 48, we must recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.  The Company adopted this statement effective January 1, 2007 and after analyzing Artesian’s various tax positions determined that no further entry, recognition or derecognition were required.  The Company would recognize, if applicable, interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and in accordance with the regulations of the jurisdictions involved.  There were no such charges for the period ended September 30, 2007.  Additionally, there were no accruals relating to interest or penalties as of September 30, 2007.  The Company remains subject to examination by federal authorities for the 2004, 2005 and 2006 tax years and by state authorities for the tax years 2004 through 2006.

 
NOTE 8 – STOCK OFFERING

On June 19, 2007, the Company completed the sale of 1,000,000 shares of its Class A Non-Voting Common Stock.  The net proceeds of approximately $18.2 million were used to reduce borrowing on Artesian Water’s lines of credit, with the balance currently placed in temporary cash investments available and intended to be used to fund future capital expenditures anticipated to be incurred by Artesian Water and Artesian Wastewater.

On July 10, 2007, the Company completed the sale of an additional 129,000 shares of its Class A Non-Voting Common Stock, in accordance with the option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments associated with our June 2007 stock offering.  The net proceeds of approximately $2.3 million were placed in temporary cash investments available and intended to be used to fund future capital expenditures anticipated to be incurred by Artesian Water and Artesian Wastewater.

12


ITEM 2
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2007

Overview

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Our profitability is primarily attributable to the sale of water by Artesian Water, the amount of which is dependent on seasonal fluctuations in weather, particularly during the summer months when water demand may vary with rainfall and temperature.  In the event that temperatures during the typically warmer months are cooler than expected, or rainfall is greater than expected, the demand for water may decrease and our revenues may be adversely affected.  We believe the effects of weather are short term and do not materially affect the execution of our strategic initiatives.

Our initiatives south of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, or the “C&D Canal,” that began in 1992 are now providing the greatest portion of our customer growth.  This shift in growth is primarily the result of the build out of our service area in northern New Castle County, Delaware.

While customer growth in our utility subsidiaries continued to be a major focus in the first nine months of 2007, we aggressively seek opportunities that produce revenue streams that are not as directly affected by weather.  These opportunities include the efforts of Artesian Utility, which is actively pursuing opportunities to design, build and operate water and wastewater facilities throughout Delaware and surrounding areas on the Delmarva Peninsula, and Artesian Wastewater, which began providing wastewater services to customers in Delaware as a regulated public wastewater service company in July 2005.  The opportunities generated through our wastewater service companies may provide additional service territory for the regulated water subsidiary or may provide contract operations services for municipalities or other regulated entities.  We will continue to focus attention on expanding our contract operations opportunities with municipalities and private water providers on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Our strategy is to focus on total resource management covering a wide spectrum of activities, which include identifying new and dependable sources of supply; developing the wells, treatment plants and delivery systems to get water to customers; educating customers on the wise use of water; and providing responsible wastewater management to assist with recharge of the aquifers.  Our strategy includes focusing our efforts to expand in new regions added to our service territory over the last 10 years, where growth is strong and demand is increasing.  We also foresee significant growth opportunities in our wastewater subsidiaries and will continue to seek strategic partnerships and relationships with developers and municipalities to complement existing agreements for the provision of wastewater service on the Delmarva Peninsula.

We believe additional growth for Artesian will be developed in the Maryland counties on the Delmarva Peninsula.  In furtherance of our strategic initiative, on August 7, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of the Carpenters Point Water Company in a transaction accounted for under SFAS 141.  Carpenters Point serves a 130 home community in Cecil County, Maryland located near the Interstate 95 growth corridor, between Philadelphia and Baltimore.  This acquisition is expected to provide sufficient groundwater supply and elevated water storage to serve additional customers in the undeveloped portions of the Carpenters Point franchise and surrounding area.  The Maryland Public Service Commission approved the acquisition on July 20, 2007.

In May 2007, we completed the purchase of all the wastewater and water operations agreements of TMH Environmental Services, Inc.  In connection with this acquisition, we expanded our water and wastewater contract activity in the region and added experienced, qualified and licensed water and wastewater operators to our staff.  We believe this strategic expansion will provide Artesian with additional potential for continued growth.

13


REGULATORY MATTERS AND INFLATION

As of September 30, 2007, we had approximately 74,800 metered water customers, approximately 360 wastewater customers, and served a population of approximately 250,000 (including contract services), representing approximately 29% of Delaware's total population.  Increases in the number of customers served by Artesian Water and Artesian Wastewater contributed to increases in our operating revenues.  The Delaware Public Service Commission PSC regulates both Artesian Water's and Artesian Wastewater’s rates charged for service, the sale and issuance of securities and other matters.  Artesian Maryland is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Maryland Public Service Commission.

Our regulated utilities periodically seek rate increases to cover the cost of increased operating expenses, increased financing expenses due to additional investments in utility plant and other costs of doing business.  In Delaware, utilities are permitted by law to place rates into effect, under bond, on a temporary basis pending completion of a rate increase proceeding.  The first temporary increase may be up to the lesser of $2.5 million on an annual basis or 15% of annual gross water sales.  Should the rate case not be completed within seven months, by law, the utility may put the lesser of the entire requested rate relief or 15% of annual gross water sales in effect, under bond, until a final resolution is ordered and placed into effect.  If such rates are found to be in excess of rates the PSC finds to be appropriate, we must refund the portion found in excess to customers with interest.  The timing of our rate increase requests are therefore dependent upon the estimated cost of the administrative process in relation to the investments and expenses that we hope to recover through the rate increase.  We can provide no assurances that rate increase requests will be approved by the applicable regulatory agencies; and, if approved, we cannot guarantee that these rate increases will be granted in a timely or sufficient manner to cover the investments and expenses for which we initially sought the rate increase.  An increase in our water rates was approved by the PSC and placed into effect on July 24, 2007, as discussed in Note 6 to the Financial Statements.

In 2003, legislation was enacted in Delaware requiring all water utilities serving within northern New Castle County to certify by July 2006 that they have sufficient sources of self-supply to serve their respective systems.  On June 30, 2006, Artesian Water filed our certification related to the adequacy of our water supply through 2009.  After completion of their review, on July 24, 2007, the PSC accepted our certification of sufficient water supply.

We are affected by inflation, most notably by the continually increasing costs required to maintain, improve and expand our service capability.  The cumulative effect of inflation results in significantly higher facility costs compared to investments made 20 to 40 years ago, which must be recovered from future cash flows.

Delaware statute permits utilities to put into effect, on a semi-annual basis, increases related to specific types of distribution system improvements through DSIC.  This charge is available to water utilities to be implemented between general rate increase applications that normally recognize changes in a water utility’s overall financial position.  The DSIC process is less costly when compared to the approval process for general rate increase requests.  The DSIC rate applied between base rate filings is capped at 7.5% of the amount billed to customers under otherwise applicable rates and charges, and the DSIC rate increase applied can not exceed 5% within any 12-month period.

Results of Operations – Analysis of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
 
Operating Revenues
 
Revenues totaled $15.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, $0.8 million, or 6.0% above revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 of $14.2 million.  Water sales revenues increased 13.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, over the corresponding period in 2006. Water sales revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was positively impacted as a result of increased outdoor usage for irrigation due to generally dry weather conditions in our typically peak usage months.  The increase in water sales also reflects increases in water rates.  As permitted under Delaware law, a 5.9% increase in rates was placed in effect on July 10, 2006 pending conclusion of our filing with the PSC for rate relief.  As a result of the December 19, 2006 PSC approval of a settlement agreement, water rates were further adjusted effective January 1, 2007 to reflect a total approved increase of 11% with an additional 3% second step increase in rates that became effective July 24, 2007 upon completion of our issuance of common stock. A portion of the increase in water sales revenue reflects a 2.0% increase in the number of customers served.  We realized 92.1% of our total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from the sale of water.  During the same period last year we realized 86.2% of our total revenue for water sales, which included a recognition of a gain on the sale of land by Artesian Development of $1.3 million.

14


Other utility operating revenue increased $90,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, or 33.7%, from $267,000 in 2006 to $357,000 for the same period in 2007.  This increase was primarily due to an increase in our regulated wastewater operations, which had a $67,000 increase in operating subsidies and a $46,000 increase in monthly service charges for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006.  Several of Artesian Wastewater’s contracts require developers to pay a one-time contribution toward the cost of infrastructure and a subsidy to defray the expense of operating the wastewater facility through its start up period, as each customer is added to the system.

Non utility operating revenue increased $462,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, or 123.5%, from $374,000 in 2006 to $836,000 for the same period in 2007.  This increase was primarily due to an increase in Artesian Utility  operations, which had a $321,000 increase for the construction of a water treatment facility in Cecil County, Maryland.  A portion of the increase, approximately $104,000, includes revenue for wastewater collection system inspection fees.  The increase in revenue also includes a $13,000 increase in Service Line Protection Plan, or SLP Plan, revenue.  The SLP Plan provides coverage for all material and labor required to repair or replace participants’ leaking water service lines up to an annual limit.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and income taxes, increased $0.6 million, or 8.1%, to $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $7.2 million for the same period in 2006.  The components of the increase in operating expenses included an increase in utility operating expenses of $149,000 and an increase in property taxes of $102,000.  Non-utility operating expenses increased $330,000 in the third quarter of 2007, or 114.2%, compared to the same period last year.

The increase in utility operating expense of $149,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, or 2.4%, over the same period in 2006, is comprised of increases in payroll and employee benefits costs and administration expense. These increases were offset by a reduction in purchased water expense.

Payroll and employee benefit expense increased $186,000, or 6.2%, compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to increases in employee count, employee wages and medical insurance premiums.

Administration expense increased $133,000, or 16.2%, compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to an increase in temporary employment services, directors’ fees, and employee training related to the conversion of our financial reporting system .

The increases were offset by a reduction of $220,000, or 25.4%, in purchased water.  This decrease was primarily due to the expiration in December 2006 of our purchased water contract with the City of Wilmington.  That contract had required minimum purchases.  The decrease was partially offset by a $26,000 increase in purchases from the Chester Water Authority.

Non-utility expense increased approximately $330,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from the three months ended September 30, 2006, due to more project activity as compared to the same period in 2006.

Property taxes increased by $102,000, or 15.7%, compared to the same period in 2006, reflecting increases in tax rates charged for public schools in various areas where Artesian holds property and increases in the amount of plants owned by Artesian.  Property taxes are assessed on land, buildings and certain utility plants, which includes the footage and size of pipe, hydrants and wells primarily owned by Artesian Water.

The ratio of operating expense, excluding depreciation and income taxes, to total revenue was 51.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to 50.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $102,000, or 8.3%, over the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006, due to continuing investment in utility plant in service providing supply, treatment, storage and distribution of water.

Federal and State income tax expense increased $215,000 due to higher profitability for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006.

15


Other Income, Net

Our Allowance for Funds Used During Construction, or AFUDC, decreased $22,000, or 22.0%, compared to the same period in 2006, as a result of lower long-term construction activity subject to AFUDC for the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.

Interest Charges

Interest charges decreased $151,000, or 9.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006, primarily because we used the proceeds from our June 2007 equity issuance to pay off the outstanding balances of our short term debt.

Net Income

Our net income increased $156,000, or 6.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the same period a year ago.  The increase in net income for the three months was primarily due to higher operating income margins and from our non-utility subsidiaries in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago. The increase also reflects more water consumption due to drier weather and higher water rates compared to the same period a year ago and lower interest expense as a result of repayment of our outstanding lines of credit with the proceeds from our stock issuance.

Results of Operations – Analysis of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Operating Revenues

Revenues totaled $39.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, $2.9 million, or 7.8% above revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, of $36.7 million.  Water sales revenues increased 9.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, over the corresponding period in 2006.  We realized 92.3% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from the sale of water. During the same period last year we realized 90.6% of our total revenue, which included a recognition of a gain on the sale of land by Artesian Development of $1.3 million.  Water sales revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was positively impacted as a result of increased outdoor usage for irrigation due to generally dry weather conditions in our typically peak usage months. The increase in water sales also reflects increases in water rates. As permitted under Delaware law, a 5.9% increase in rates was placed in effect on July 10, 2006 pending conclusion of our filing with the PSC for rate relief. As a result of the December 19, 2006 PSC approval of a settlement agreement, water rates were further adjusted effective January 1, 2007 to reflect a total approved increase of 11% with an additional 3% second step increase in rates that became effective July 24, 2007 upon completion of our issuance of common stock. A portion of the increase in water sales revenue reflects a 2.0% increase in the number of customers served. This increase was moderated by a decrease in revenue related to the DSIC, which was not in effect during the first nine months  of 2007 but generated $225,000 in revenue during the first nine months  of 2006.  Further, there was an adjustment of $154,000 related to our 2004 rate case reserve in January 2006.

The increase in other utility operating revenue of $480,000, or 61.6%, was primarily due to increases in operational subsidies paid by developers for various wastewater plants, compared to the same period last year.  Several of Artesian Wastewater’s contracts require developers to pay a one-time contribution toward the cost of infrastructure and a subsidy to defray the expense of operating the wastewater facility through its start up period, as each customer is added to the system.  The increase in operational subsidies accounted for $324,000 of the increase, while monthly service charges for our wastewater customers increased by $145,000 over the same period last year.

The increase in the non-utility revenues in the amount of $457,000 was due to an increase in wastewater construction activity compared to the same period last year.  This is in addition to a $146,000 increase in SLP Plan revenue.  The SLP Plan provides coverage for all material and labor required to repair or replace participants’ leaking water service lines up to an annual limit.

16


Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and income taxes, increased $2.0 million, or 9.3%, to $23.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $21.0 million for the same period in 2006.  The components of the increase in operating expenses included an increase in utility operating expenses of $1.4 million and an increase in property taxes of $209,000.  Non-utility operating expenses increased $325,000 in the first nine months of 2007, or 36.4%, compared to the same period last year.

The increase in utility operating expense of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, or 7.8%, over the same period in 2006, is comprised of increases in purchased power expense, payroll and employee benefits, administration expense and repair and maintenance expense.  These increases were offset by a decrease to purchased water expense.

Purchased power expense increased $447,000, or 34.6%, compared to the same period in 2006, due to an increase in electric rates of approximately 92% effective May 2006.  Price caps instituted by electric restructuring legislation in Delaware in 1999 were lifted in 2006, resulting in extreme price increases for all of Delmarva Power's customers.  Artesian sought to mitigate these increases by signing a two-year supply contract with another provider at a fixed price in May 2006.

Payroll and employee benefit expense increased $629,000, or 6.8%, compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to increases in employee count, employee wages and medical insurance premiums.

Administration expense increased $423,000, or 15.9%, compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to an increase of $233,000 in temporary employment services used by Artesian Water. There was also an increase of $132,000 in directors’ fees due to increased frequency of meetings and fee increases. Employee training has increased as well compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to the conversion of our financial reporting system scheduled for implementation in January 2008.

Repair and maintenance expense increased by $348,000, or 28.4%, compared to the same period in 2006, due primarily to a $189,000 increase in our tank painting expense.  A new five year agreement, which began July 2006, to paint a specified number of water storage tanks was negotiated with a contractor following completion of a previous five year agreement in 2005.  Increased expenses were also seen for additional carbon filter water treatment replacements, repair of mains in Sussex County, Delaware, and security expense for recently completed facilities.

Purchased water expense decreased $592,000 compared to the same period a year ago. During the first nine months of 2006, our purchased water expense attributable to the City of Wilmington was $282,000, compared to an expense of $2,000 in the same period of 2007. We did not renew a contract with the City of Wilmington upon its expiration in December 2006 that had required minimum annual water purchases. The remaining decrease is due to less water purchased from Chester Water Authority during the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period a year ago.

Property taxes increased by $209,000, or 10.9%, compared to the same period in 2006, reflecting increases in tax rates charged for public schools in various areas where Artesian holds property and increases in the amount of plants owned by Artesian.  Property taxes are assessed on land, buildings and certain utility plant, which includes the footage and size of pipe, hydrants and wells primarily owned by Artesian Water.

The ratio of operating expense, excluding depreciation and income taxes, to total revenue was 58.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to 57.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $420,000, or 12.3%, over the nine months ended September 30, 2006, due to increases in our utility plant in service providing supply, treatment, storage and distribution of water.

Federal and State income tax expense increased $293,000, or 9.4%, due to higher profitability for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Other Income, Net

Our AFUDC decreased $6,000, or 2.7%, compared to the same period in 2006, as a result of lower long-term construction activity subject to AFUDC for the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.  Miscellaneous Income increased $115,000 primarily due to income earned on our temporary investments and recording dividends associated with our investment in CoBank.  CoBank is a cooperative bank that distributes equity and cash income to its customer-owners.  Our ownership interest in CoBank is the result of our issuance of $50 million in First Mortgage Bonds to CoBank as currently reflected on our Balance Sheet.

17


Interest Charges

Interest charges increased $79,000, or 1.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily due to higher average short-term debt outstanding and higher interest rates in 2007 compared to 2006.  The average short-term debt interest rate during the first nine months of 2006 was 5.76%, as compared to 6.32% during the first nine months of 2007.

Net Income

Our net income increased $228,000, or 4.6%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the same period a year ago.  The increase in net income for the nine months was primarily due to increases in Artesian Water operating revenues derived from the 2007 rate increases, drier weather, revenues generated by our SLP Plan and increased activity in contract operations of Artesian Utility.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $8.3 million provided by cash flow from operating activities, $6.0 million in net contributions and advances from developers, and $20.5 million net proceeds from the issuance of approximately 1,129,000 shares of Class A non-voting common stock. Cash flow from operating activities is primarily provided by our utility operations, and is impacted by the timeliness and adequacy of rate increases and changes in water consumption as a result of year-to-year variations in weather conditions particularly during the summer.  A significant part of our ability to maintain and meet our financial objectives is to assure our investments in utility plant and equipment are recovered in the rates charged to customers.  As such, from time to time we file rate increase requests to recover increases in operating expenses and investments in utility plant and equipment.

We invested $18.6 million in capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2007 compared to $25.0 million invested during the same period in 2006.  These reduced investments are attributable to several factors, including value engineering of capital projects, regionalization to avoid construction of new facilities, and, to a lesser extent, the general slowdown in the housing market.  The primary focus of Artesian Water’s investment was to continue to provide high quality reliable service to our growing service territory.  We have invested $3.9 million through the nine months ended September 30, 2007, for the construction of new treatment facilities, to enhance or improve existing treatment facilities, and for the rehabilitation of pumping equipment to better serve our customers. In addition, we are continuing our regional approach to building infrastructure through connecting existing supply infrastructure to new developments and at the same time providing redundancy to existing developments by connecting them to the regional system.  These efforts resulted in an investment of $4.5 million in the first nine months of 2007. Artesian Wastewater invested $1.8 million in the first nine months of 2007 towards construction of  two new wastewater treatment facilities in Sussex County, Delaware including the construction of a regional wastewater system.  When completed, Artesian Wastewater will have invested approximately $6.5 million in these facilities, which will be capable of serving approximately 1,700 customers.  Artesian funded the TMH acquisition and Carpenters Point acquisition using cash on hand.
 
At September 30, 2007, Artesian Water had lines of credit totaling $40.0 million to meet temporary cash requirements.  These revolving credit facilities are unsecured.  As of September 30, 2007, we had $40.0 million of available funds under these lines, as we used the proceeds from the June 2007 common stock issuance to pay off the outstanding balance.  The interest rate for borrowings under each of these lines is the London Interbank Offering Rate, or “LIBOR,” plus 1.0% or, at our discretion, the banks’ federal funds rate plus 1.0%.  Each bank reviews all of their facilities annually for renewal.

18

 
 
Commitments
 
Committed
   
Less than
1 Year
   
1-3 Years
   
4-5 Years
   
Over 5 Years
 
                               
Lines of Credit (in thousands)
  $
-----
    $
-----
     
---
     
---
     
---
 


At September 30, 2007, Artesian Utility and Artesian Wastewater had lines of credit with a financial institution for $3.5 million and $10.0 million, respectively, to meet temporary cash requirements.  These revolving credit facilities are unsecured.  As of September 30, 2007, we had not borrowed funds under any of these lines.  The interest rate for borrowings under each of these lines is the LIBOR plus 1.75%.  The bank reviews its facilities annually for renewal.

On June 21, 2007, Artesian Water, Artesian Utility, and Artesian Wastewater entered into an agreement with a financial institution to invest excess funds overnight, with interest paid at the overnight $100,000 repurchase rate established each day by the bank.  As of September 30, 2007, the interest rate was 3.5%. We expect to fund our activities for the next twelve months using our available cash balances and bank credit lines, plus projected cash generated from operations and the capital markets.

Contractual Obligations
     
   
Payments Due by Period
 
In thousands
 
Less than
1 Year
   
1-3
Years
   
4-5
Years
   
After 5
Years
   
Total
 
First Mortgage Bonds (Principal and Interest)
  $
5,501
    $
11,001
    $
11,001
    $
160,496
    $
187,999
 
State revolving fund loans
   
79
     
1,180
     
1,180
     
6,658
     
9,097
 
Operating leases
   
167
     
306
     
114
     
1,574
     
2,161
 
Unconditional purchase obligations
   
2,787
     
5,581
     
5,574
     
30,677
     
44,619
 
Tank painting contractual obligation
   
374
     
749
     
549
     
0
     
1,672
 
Total contractual cash obligations
  $
8,908
    $
18,817
    $
18,418
    $
199,405
    $
245,548
 

Long-term debt obligations reflect the maturities of certain series of our first mortgage bonds, which we intend to refinance when due.  The state revolving fund loan obligation has an amortizing mortgage payment payable over a 20-year period, and will be refinanced as future securities are issued.  Both the long-term debt and the state revolving fund loan have certain financial covenant provisions, the violation of which could result in default and require the obligation to be immediately repaid, including all interest.  For information about these financial covenant provisions, refer to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  We have not experienced conditions that would result in our default under these agreements, and we do not anticipate any such occurrence.  Payments for unconditional purchase obligations reflect minimum water purchase obligations based on rates that are subject to change under our interconnection agreement with the Chester Water Authority.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, including any arrangements with any structured finance, special purpose or variable interest entities.

Critical Accounting Assumptions, Estimates and Policies; Recent Accounting Standards

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on the accounting policies used and disclosed in our 2006 consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and included as part of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The preparation of those financial statements required management to make assumptions and estimates that affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual amounts or results could differ from those based on such assumptions and estimates.

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Our critical accounting policies are described in Management's Discussion and Analysis included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  There have been no changes in these accounting policies.  Our significant accounting policies are described in our 2006 consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Information concerning our implementation and the impact of recent accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board is included in the notes to our 2006 consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and also in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.  We did not adopt any accounting policy in the first nine months of 2007 that had a material impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

CAUTION  REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which express our “belief,” “anticipation” or “expectation,” as well as other statements which are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Statements regarding our goals, priorities, growth and expansion plans for our water and wastewater subsidiaries, customer base growth opportunities in Cecil County, Maryland, our belief regarding our capacity to provide water services for the foreseeable future to our customers, our belief relating to our compliance and the cost to achieve compliance with relevant governmental regulations, the impact of weather on our operations and the execution of our strategic initiatives, our expectation relating to the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements, contract operations opportunities, legal proceedings, our properties, deferred tax assets, adequacy of our available sources of financing, the expected recovery of expenses related to our long-term debt, our expectation to be in compliance with financial covenants in our debt instruments, our ability to refinance our debt as it comes due, plans to increase our wastewater treatment operations and other revenue streams less affected by weather, expected contributions in 2007 to our postretirement benefit plan, and our liquidity needs are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “may”, “should”, variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Certain factors including changes in weather, changes in our contractual obligations, changes in government policies, the timing and results of our rate requests, changes in economic and market conditions generally, and other matters discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 could cause results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so other than as required by under the federal securities laws and you should not rely on any forward-looking statement as representation of the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal course of business.  Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use of fixed rate, long-term debt and, to a lesser extent, short-term debt.  The Company’s interest rate risk related to existing fixed rate, long-term debt is not material due to the terms of our First Mortgage Bonds, which have maturity dates ranging from 2018 to 2043.

At September 30, 2007, Artesian Water had lines of credit of $20.0 million each with two separate financial institutions totaling $40.0 million to meet temporary cash requirements.  These revolving credit facilities are unsecured.  As of September 30, 2007, we had $40.0 million of available funds under these lines, as we used the proceeds from the June 2007 common stock issuance to pay off the outstanding balance.  The interest rate for borrowings under each of these lines is the London Interbank Offering Rate, or “LIBOR,” plus 1.0% or, at our discretion, the banks’ federal funds rate plus 1.0%.  Each bank reviews all of their facilities annually for renewal.

At September 30, 2007, Artesian Utility and Artesian Wastewater had lines of credit with a financial institution for $3.5 million and $10.0 million, respectively, to meet temporary cash requirements.  These revolving credit facilities are unsecured.  As of September 30, 2007, we had not borrowed funds under these lines.  The interest rate for borrowings under each of these lines is the LIBOR plus 1.75%. The bank reviews its facilities annually for renewal.  Consequently, our interest expense for short term debt could be materially affected should interest rates change materially and we have material balances outstanding on our lines of credit.

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ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.  A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.    


(b)
Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material legal proceedings pending at this time to which we or any of our properties is the subject that are material or are expected to have a material effect on our financial position or operations.

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.  The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing us.  We depend on the availability of capital for expansion, construction and maintenance.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS

10.1
Indemnification Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2007, between Artesian Resources Corporation and KPMG LLP (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference)
   
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
 
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
 
 
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)*


*   Filed herewith 

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SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION


Date:  November 7, 2007
By:        /s/ DIAN C. TAYLOR
 
Dian C. Taylor (Principal Executive Officer)


Date:  November 7, 2007
By:          /s/ DAVID B. SPACHT
 
David B. Spacht (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number
 
Description
     
10.1
 
Indemnification Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2007, between Artesian Resources Corporation and KPMG LLP (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference)
     
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
     
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
     
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)*

*   Filed herewith
 
 
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