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Artesian Resources Corp – ‘10-K’ for 12/31/19 – ‘EX-101.DEF’

On: Friday, 3/13/20, at 12:27pm ET · For: 12/31/19 · Accession #: 863110-20-9 · File #: 0-18516

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size

 3/13/20  Artesian Resources Corp           10-K       12/31/19   82:10M

Annual Report — Form 10-K — Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-K        Artesian Resources Corp File 10-K                   HTML   1.01M 
 2: EX-4.16     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML     36K 
 3: EX-4.17     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML     29K 
 4: EX-4.22     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML     39K 
 5: EX-21       Subsidiaries of the Company                         HTML     26K 
 6: EX-23.1     Consent of Bdo Usa LLP                              HTML     22K 
 7: EX-31.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer            HTML     31K 
 8: EX-31.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer            HTML     31K 
 9: EX-32       Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief  HTML     25K 
                Financial Officer                                                
75: R1          Document and Entity Information                     HTML     64K 
45: R2          Consolidated Balance Sheets                         HTML    149K 
23: R3          Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)         HTML     29K 
62: R4          Consolidated Statements of Operations               HTML     96K 
74: R5          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               HTML    138K 
43: R6          Consolidated Statements of Changes in               HTML     79K 
                Stockholders' Equity                                             
22: R7          Consolidated Statements of Changes in               HTML     39K 
                Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical)                             
64: R8          Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    156K 
71: R9          Revenue Recognition                                 HTML     77K 
60: R10         Leases                                              HTML     59K 
68: R11         Fair Value of Financial Instruments                 HTML     33K 
48: R12         Income Taxes                                        HTML    150K 
24: R13         Preferred Stock                                     HTML     25K 
61: R14         Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital         HTML     25K 
69: R15         Debt                                                HTML     86K 
49: R16         Non-Utility Operating Revenue and Expenses          HTML     25K 
25: R17         Stock Compensation Plans                            HTML     87K 
59: R18         Employee Benefit Plans                              HTML     30K 
70: R19         Commitments and Contingencies                       HTML     45K 
33: R20         Geographic Concentration of Customers               HTML     26K 
27: R21         Regulatory Proceedings                              HTML     42K 
50: R22         Net Income Per Common Share and Equity Per Common   HTML     37K 
                Share                                                            
78: R23         Selected Consolidated Quarterly Financial Data      HTML     61K 
                (Unaudited)                                                      
34: R24         Related Party Transactions                          HTML     29K 
28: R25         Business Combinations                               HTML     26K 
51: R26         Legal Proceedings                                   HTML     25K 
79: R27         Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements          HTML     27K 
35: R28         Subsequent Events                                   HTML     26K 
26: R29         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    208K 
                (Policies)                                                       
20: R30         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    133K 
                (Tables)                                                         
47: R31         Revenue Recognition (Tables)                        HTML     61K 
73: R32         Leases (Tables)                                     HTML     61K 
65: R33         Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)        HTML     29K 
19: R34         Income Taxes (Tables)                               HTML    153K 
46: R35         Debt (Tables)                                       HTML     80K 
72: R36         Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)                   HTML     88K 
63: R37         Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)              HTML     44K 
21: R38         Regulatory Proceedings (Tables)                     HTML     33K 
44: R39         Net Income Per Common Share and Equity Per Common   HTML     34K 
                Share (Tables)                                                   
31: R40         Selected Consolidated Quarterly Financial Data      HTML     61K 
                (Unaudited) (Tables)                                             
39: R41         SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Part 1  HTML     99K 
                (Details)                                                        
81: R42         SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Part 2  HTML    111K 
                (Details)                                                        
54: R43         SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Part 3  HTML     45K 
                (Details)                                                        
30: R44         SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Part 4  HTML     91K 
                (Details)                                                        
38: R45         REVENUE RECOGNITION, Disaggregated Revenues         HTML     65K 
                (Details)                                                        
80: R46         REVENUE RECOGNITION, Contract Assets and Contract   HTML     39K 
                Liabilities (Details)                                            
52: R47         Leases (Details)                                    HTML    114K 
32: R48         Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)       HTML     28K 
37: R49         Income Taxes (Details)                              HTML    204K 
40: R50         Preferred Stock (Details)                           HTML     29K 
17: R51         Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital         HTML     27K 
                (Details)                                                        
57: R52         Debt (Details)                                      HTML    154K 
66: R53         Non-Utility Operating Revenue and Expenses          HTML     30K 
                (Details)                                                        
41: R54         Stock Compensation Plans (Details)                  HTML    179K 
18: R55         Employee Benefit Plans (Details)                    HTML     51K 
58: R56         Commitments and Contingencies (Details)             HTML    111K 
67: R57         Geographic Concentration of Customers (Details)     HTML     33K 
42: R58         Regulatory Proceedings (Details)                    HTML     53K 
16: R59         Net Income Per Common Share and Equity Per Common   HTML     65K 
                Share (Details)                                                  
55: R60         Selected Consolidated Quarterly Financial Data      HTML     46K 
                (Unaudited) (Details)                                            
82: R61         Related Party Transactions (Details)                HTML     48K 
36: R62         Business Combinations (Details)                     HTML     28K 
29: R63         Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements          HTML     26K 
                (Details)                                                        
56: R64         Subsequent Events (Details)                         HTML     29K 
76: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    141K 
77: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports                  XLSX    102K 
10: EX-101.INS  XBRL Instance -- artna-20191231                      XML   2.93M 
12: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- artna-20191231_cal              XML    239K 
13: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- artna-20191231_def               XML   1.05M 
14: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- artna-20191231_lab                    XML   2.61M 
15: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- artna-20191231_pre             XML   1.48M 
11: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- artna-20191231                        XSD    225K 
53: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0000863110-20-000009-xbrl      Zip    300K

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</link:definitionLink>

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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_DistributionSystemImprovementChargeMember" xlink:label="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeMember" xlink:title="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeMember"/>

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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_IndustrialWastewaterServicesMember" xlink:label="IndustrialWastewaterServicesMember" xlink:title="IndustrialWastewaterServicesMember"/>

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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ServiceLineProtectionPlansMember" xlink:label="ServiceLineProtectionPlansMember" xlink:title="ServiceLineProtectionPlansMember"/>

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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ContractOperationsMember" xlink:label="ContractOperationsMember" xlink:title="ContractOperationsMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="ContractOperationsMember" xlink:title="definition: ProductsAndServicesDomain to ContractOperationsMember" order="8.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_InspectionFeesMember" xlink:label="InspectionFeesMember" xlink:title="InspectionFeesMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="InspectionFeesMember" xlink:title="definition: ProductsAndServicesDomain to InspectionFeesMember" order="9.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/RevenueRecognitionContractAssetsAndContractLiabilitiesDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetAndLiabilityAbstract" xlink:label="ContractWithCustomerAssetAndLiabilityAbstract" xlink:title="ContractWithCustomerAssetAndLiabilityAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ContractWithCustomerAssetAndLiabilityAbstract" xlink:title="definition: DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems to ContractWithCustomerAssetAndLiabilityAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNet" xlink:label="ContractWithCustomerAssetNet" xlink:title="ContractWithCustomerAssetNet"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ContractWithCustomerAssetNet" xlink:title="definition: DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems to ContractWithCustomerAssetNet" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability" xlink:label="ContractWithCustomerLiability" xlink:title="ContractWithCustomerLiability"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ContractWithCustomerLiability" xlink:title="definition: DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems to ContractWithCustomerLiability" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability" xlink:label="ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability" xlink:title="ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability" xlink:title="definition: DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems to ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability" order="4.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized" xlink:label="ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized" xlink:title="ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized" xlink:title="definition: DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems to ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized" order="5.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" xlink:title="definition: DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems to DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" order="6.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatedAndUnregulatedOperationDomain" xlink:label="RegulatedAndUnregulatedOperationDomain_2" xlink:title="RegulatedAndUnregulatedOperationDomain"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RegulatedAndUnregulatedOperationDomain" xlink:to="UnregulatedOperationMember" xlink:title="definition: RegulatedAndUnregulatedOperationDomain to UnregulatedOperationMember" order="2.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/LeasesDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:label="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:title="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseDescriptionAbstract" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseDescriptionAbstract" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseDescriptionAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseDescriptionAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseDescriptionAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_SupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesAbstract" xlink:label="SupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesAbstract" xlink:title="SupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="SupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to SupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesAbstract" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAndLiabilitiesLesseeAbstract" xlink:label="AssetsAndLiabilitiesLesseeAbstract" xlink:title="AssetsAndLiabilitiesLesseeAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="AssetsAndLiabilitiesLesseeAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to AssetsAndLiabilitiesLesseeAbstract" order="4.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesPaymentsDueAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesPaymentsDueAbstract" order="5.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths" order="6.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo" order="7.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree" order="8.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour" order="9.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive" order="10.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive" order="11.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue" order="12.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount" order="13.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseLiability"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiability" order="14.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAbstract" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAbstract" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAbstract" order="15.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent" order="16.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" order="17.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent" order="18.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrentStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" order="19.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList" order="20.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAbstract" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAbstract" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAbstract" order="21.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercentAbstract" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercentAbstract" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercentAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercentAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercentAbstract" order="22.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent" order="23.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1" order="24.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" xlink:label="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" xlink:title="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" order="25.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_CashPaidForAmountsIncludedInTheMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:label="CashPaidForAmountsIncludedInTheMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:title="CashPaidForAmountsIncludedInTheMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilitiesAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="CashPaidForAmountsIncludedInTheMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to CashPaidForAmountsIncludedInTheMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilitiesAbstract" order="26.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_RightOfUseAssetsObtainedInExchangeForLeaseObligationsAbstract" xlink:label="RightOfUseAssetsObtainedInExchangeForLeaseObligationsAbstract" xlink:title="RightOfUseAssetsObtainedInExchangeForLeaseObligationsAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="RightOfUseAssetsObtainedInExchangeForLeaseObligationsAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to RightOfUseAssetsObtainedInExchangeForLeaseObligationsAbstract" order="27.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:label="RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:title="RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability" order="28.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments" xlink:label="OperatingLeasePayments" xlink:title="OperatingLeasePayments"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasePayments" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeasePayments" order="29.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" order="30.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals" order="31.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet" order="32.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_LesseeOperatingLeaseRemainingLeaseTerm" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseRemainingLeaseTerm" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseRemainingLeaseTerm"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseRemainingLeaseTerm" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseRemainingLeaseTerm" order="33.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm" order="34.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_PercentageOfLesseeOperatingLeaseIncreaseInAnnualLeasePayments" xlink:label="PercentageOfLesseeOperatingLeaseIncreaseInAnnualLeasePayments" xlink:title="PercentageOfLesseeOperatingLeaseIncreaseInAnnualLeasePayments"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfLesseeOperatingLeaseIncreaseInAnnualLeasePayments" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to PercentageOfLesseeOperatingLeaseIncreaseInAnnualLeasePayments" order="35.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract" xlink:label="LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract" xlink:title="LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract" order="36.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_PortionOfLeaseTermDeterminingAnnualLeasePayment" xlink:label="PortionOfLeaseTermDeterminingAnnualLeasePayment" xlink:title="PortionOfLeaseTermDeterminingAnnualLeasePayment"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="PortionOfLeaseTermDeterminingAnnualLeasePayment" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to PortionOfLeaseTermDeterminingAnnualLeasePayment" order="37.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRent" xlink:label="PaymentsForRent" xlink:title="PaymentsForRent"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:label="LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:title="LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:to="LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems to LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" order="39.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="RangeAxis" xlink:title="RangeAxis"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable to RangeAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember_2" xlink:title="RangeMember"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="MinimumMember" xlink:title="MinimumMember"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="MaximumMember" xlink:title="MaximumMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:to="ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable to ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWaterMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWaterMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWaterMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:to="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable to PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2" xlink:title="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandImprovementsMember" xlink:label="LandImprovementsMember" xlink:title="LandImprovementsMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="LandImprovementsMember" xlink:title="definition: PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain to LandImprovementsMember" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember" xlink:label="OfficeEquipmentMember" xlink:title="OfficeEquipmentMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="OfficeEquipmentMember" xlink:title="definition: PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain to OfficeEquipmentMember" order="2.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/LeasesDetailsCalc01"/>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:title="FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" xlink:label="FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" xlink:title="FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" xlink:title="definition: FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems to FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue" xlink:label="LongTermDebtFairValue" xlink:title="LongTermDebtFairValue"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="LongTermDebtFairValue" xlink:title="definition: FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems to LongTermDebtFairValue" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:title="FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:title="definition: FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems to FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" order="3.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:label="FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:title="FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:to="FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable to FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:title="FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:to="FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis to FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:to="PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="definition: FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain to PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2" xlink:title="PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:to="PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis to PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:to="CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="definition: FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain to CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:to="EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="definition: FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain to EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" order="3.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:label="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:title="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward" xlink:label="MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward" xlink:title="MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems to MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance" xlink:label="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance" xlink:title="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems to ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense" xlink:label="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense" xlink:title="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems to ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions" xlink:label="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions" xlink:title="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems to ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions" order="4.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable" xlink:label="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable" xlink:title="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems to ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable" order="5.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis" xlink:label="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis" xlink:title="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable" xlink:to="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable to ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" xlink:label="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" xlink:title="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis" xlink:to="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis to ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" xlink:label="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_2" xlink:title="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis" xlink:to="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis to ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_2" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember" xlink:label="ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember" xlink:title="ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" xlink:to="ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember" xlink:title="definition: ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain to ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems" xlink:label="IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems" xlink:title="IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_IncomeTaxExaminationOperatingLossCarryforwardsAbstract" xlink:label="IncomeTaxExaminationOperatingLossCarryforwardsAbstract" xlink:title="IncomeTaxExaminationOperatingLossCarryforwardsAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems" xlink:to="IncomeTaxExaminationOperatingLossCarryforwardsAbstract" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems to IncomeTaxExaminationOperatingLossCarryforwardsAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax" xlink:label="DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax" xlink:title="DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems" xlink:to="DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems to DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:label="OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:title="OperatingLossCarryforwards"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems to OperatingLossCarryforwards" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" xlink:label="DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" xlink:title="DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems" xlink:to="DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems to DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" order="4.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_NumberOfReservesEstablishedForUncertainTaxPositions" xlink:label="NumberOfReservesEstablishedForUncertainTaxPositions" xlink:title="NumberOfReservesEstablishedForUncertainTaxPositions"/>

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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductions" xlink:label="IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductions" xlink:title="IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductions"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems" xlink:to="IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductions" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems to IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductions" order="6.0"/>

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<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OtherCommitment" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OtherCommitment" order="11.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_MultiplierToEstimateMinimumPurchaseRequirementsForYear" xlink:label="MultiplierToEstimateMinimumPurchaseRequirementsForYear" xlink:title="MultiplierToEstimateMinimumPurchaseRequirementsForYear"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="MultiplierToEstimateMinimumPurchaseRequirementsForYear" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to MultiplierToEstimateMinimumPurchaseRequirementsForYear" order="12.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_MinimumPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" xlink:label="MinimumPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" xlink:title="MinimumPurchaseRequirementsOfWater"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="MinimumPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to MinimumPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" order="13.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_MinimumReducedPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" xlink:label="MinimumReducedPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" xlink:title="MinimumReducedPurchaseRequirementsOfWater"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="MinimumReducedPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to MinimumReducedPurchaseRequirementsOfWater" order="14.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PurchaseObligationFiscalYearMaturityAbstract" xlink:label="PurchaseObligationFiscalYearMaturityAbstract" xlink:title="PurchaseObligationFiscalYearMaturityAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PurchaseObligationFiscalYearMaturityAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PurchaseObligationFiscalYearMaturityAbstract" order="15.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ExpensesForPurchasedWater" xlink:label="ExpensesForPurchasedWater" xlink:title="ExpensesForPurchasedWater"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="ExpensesForPurchasedWater" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to ExpensesForPurchasedWater" order="16.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PurchaseObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths" xlink:label="PurchaseObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths" xlink:title="PurchaseObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PurchaseObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PurchaseObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths" order="17.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PurchaseObligationDueInSecondYear" xlink:label="PurchaseObligationDueInSecondYear" xlink:title="PurchaseObligationDueInSecondYear"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PurchaseObligationDueInSecondYear" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PurchaseObligationDueInSecondYear" order="18.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PurchaseObligationDueInThirdYear" xlink:label="PurchaseObligationDueInThirdYear" xlink:title="PurchaseObligationDueInThirdYear"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PurchaseObligationDueInThirdYear" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PurchaseObligationDueInThirdYear" order="19.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PurchaseObligationDueInFourthYear" xlink:label="PurchaseObligationDueInFourthYear" xlink:title="PurchaseObligationDueInFourthYear"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PurchaseObligationDueInFourthYear" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PurchaseObligationDueInFourthYear" order="20.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PurchaseObligationDueInFifthYear" xlink:label="PurchaseObligationDueInFifthYear" xlink:title="PurchaseObligationDueInFifthYear"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PurchaseObligationDueInFifthYear" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PurchaseObligationDueInFifthYear" order="21.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PurchaseObligation" xlink:label="PurchaseObligation" xlink:title="PurchaseObligation"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PurchaseObligation" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PurchaseObligation" order="22.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_EasementAgreementPeriod" xlink:label="EasementAgreementPeriod" xlink:title="EasementAgreementPeriod"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="EasementAgreementPeriod" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to EasementAgreementPeriod" order="23.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_EasementPayments" xlink:label="EasementPayments" xlink:title="EasementPayments"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="EasementPayments" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to EasementPayments" order="24.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_AreaOfLandUseAsPerPerpetualAgreement" xlink:label="AreaOfLandUseAsPerPerpetualAgreement" xlink:title="AreaOfLandUseAsPerPerpetualAgreement"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="AreaOfLandUseAsPerPerpetualAgreement" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to AreaOfLandUseAsPerPerpetualAgreement" order="25.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" order="26.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_AdjustmentFactor" xlink:label="AdjustmentFactor" xlink:title="AdjustmentFactor"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="AdjustmentFactor" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to AdjustmentFactor" order="27.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_TerminationPeriod" xlink:label="TerminationPeriod" xlink:title="TerminationPeriod"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="TerminationPeriod" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to TerminationPeriod" order="28.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsForRent" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to PaymentsForRent" order="29.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" order="30.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent" order="31.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears" order="32.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears" order="33.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears" order="34.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears" order="35.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter" order="36.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" order="37.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:label="LossContingenciesTable" xlink:title="LossContingenciesTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="LossContingenciesTable" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesLineItems to LossContingenciesTable" order="38.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="LossContingenciesTable" xlink:to="ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis" xlink:title="definition: LossContingenciesTable to ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWaterMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWaterMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWaterMember"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWaterPennsylvaniaMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWaterPennsylvaniaMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWaterPennsylvaniaMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain" xlink:to="ArtesianWaterPennsylvaniaMember" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain to ArtesianWaterPennsylvaniaMember" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWastewaterMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWastewaterMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWastewaterMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain" xlink:to="ArtesianWastewaterMember" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain to ArtesianWastewaterMember" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWaterMarylandMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain" xlink:to="ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain to ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" order="4.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/GeographicConcentrationOfCustomersDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:label="ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:title="ConcentrationRiskLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ConcentrationRiskAbstract" xlink:label="ConcentrationRiskAbstract" xlink:title="ConcentrationRiskAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:to="ConcentrationRiskAbstract" xlink:title="definition: ConcentrationRiskLineItems to ConcentrationRiskAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_NumberOfCountiesInWhichWaterUtilityServiceProvided" xlink:label="NumberOfCountiesInWhichWaterUtilityServiceProvided" xlink:title="NumberOfCountiesInWhichWaterUtilityServiceProvided"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfCountiesInWhichWaterUtilityServiceProvided" xlink:title="definition: ConcentrationRiskLineItems to NumberOfCountiesInWhichWaterUtilityServiceProvided" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_NumberOfCustomers" xlink:label="NumberOfCustomers" xlink:title="NumberOfCustomers"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfCustomers" xlink:title="definition: ConcentrationRiskLineItems to NumberOfCustomers" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable" xlink:label="ConcentrationRiskTable" xlink:title="ConcentrationRiskTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:to="ConcentrationRiskTable" xlink:title="definition: ConcentrationRiskLineItems to ConcentrationRiskTable" order="4.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ConcentrationRiskTable" xlink:to="ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis" xlink:title="definition: ConcentrationRiskTable to ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWaterMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWaterMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWaterMember"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWaterMarylandMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain" xlink:to="ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain to ArtesianWaterMarylandMember" order="2.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain" xlink:to="ArtesianWaterPennsylvaniaMember" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain to ArtesianWaterPennsylvaniaMember" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_ArtesianWastewaterMember" xlink:label="ArtesianWastewaterMember" xlink:title="ArtesianWastewaterMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain" xlink:to="ArtesianWastewaterMember" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain to ArtesianWastewaterMember" order="4.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/RegulatoryProceedingsDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems" xlink:label="RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems" xlink:title="RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_WaterAndWastewaterRatesAbstract" xlink:label="WaterAndWastewaterRatesAbstract" xlink:title="WaterAndWastewaterRatesAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems" xlink:to="WaterAndWastewaterRatesAbstract" xlink:title="definition: RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems to WaterAndWastewaterRatesAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_OtherProceedingsAbstract" xlink:label="OtherProceedingsAbstract" xlink:title="OtherProceedingsAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems" xlink:to="OtherProceedingsAbstract" xlink:title="definition: RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems to OtherProceedingsAbstract" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateCeilingPercentage" xlink:label="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateCeilingPercentage" xlink:title="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateCeilingPercentage"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems" xlink:to="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateCeilingPercentage" xlink:title="definition: RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems to DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateCeilingPercentage" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateConditionalIncrease" xlink:label="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateConditionalIncrease" xlink:title="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateConditionalIncrease"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems" xlink:to="DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateConditionalIncrease" xlink:title="definition: RegulatoryProceedingsLineItems to DistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateConditionalIncrease" order="4.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_PercentageOfDistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateIncreaseApplicationFiledByCompanyToRegulatory" xlink:label="PercentageOfDistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateIncreaseApplicationFiledByCompanyToRegulatory" xlink:title="PercentageOfDistributionSystemImprovementChargeRateIncreaseApplicationFiledByCompanyToRegulatory"/>

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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_IncreaseAmountBasedOnEligiblePlantImprovementsSinceLastRateIncrease" xlink:label="IncreaseAmountBasedOnEligiblePlantImprovementsSinceLastRateIncrease" xlink:title="IncreaseAmountBasedOnEligiblePlantImprovementsSinceLastRateIncrease"/>

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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_NumberOfCustomers" xlink:label="NumberOfCustomers" xlink:title="NumberOfCustomers"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfCustomers" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to NumberOfCustomers" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" order="4.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_2" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_SlaughterBeachWaterCompanyMember" xlink:label="SlaughterBeachWaterCompanyMember" xlink:title="SlaughterBeachWaterCompanyMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SlaughterBeachWaterCompanyMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SlaughterBeachWaterCompanyMember" order="1.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/ImpactOfRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:label="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:title="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleRetrospectiveAdjustmentsAbstract" xlink:label="NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleRetrospectiveAdjustmentsAbstract" xlink:title="NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleRetrospectiveAdjustmentsAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleRetrospectiveAdjustmentsAbstract" xlink:title="definition: NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems to NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleRetrospectiveAdjustmentsAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" xlink:title="definition: NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems to OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" order="2.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:title="definition: NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems to OperatingLeaseLiability" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:label="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:title="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:title="definition: NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems to NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" order="4.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:label="AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:title="AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:to="AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:title="definition: NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable to AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:title="TypeOfAdoptionMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:title="definition: AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis to TypeOfAdoptionMember" order="1.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="TypeOfAdoptionMember_2" xlink:title="definition: AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis to TypeOfAdoptionMember_2" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member" xlink:label="AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member" xlink:title="AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:to="AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member" xlink:title="definition: TypeOfAdoptionMember to AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:title="StatementScenarioAxis"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:to="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:title="definition: NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable to StatementScenarioAxis" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:title="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:to="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:title="definition: StatementScenarioAxis to ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" order="1.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:to="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: StatementScenarioAxis to ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_2" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioPlanMember" xlink:label="ScenarioPlanMember" xlink:title="ScenarioPlanMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:to="ScenarioPlanMember" xlink:title="definition: ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain to ScenarioPlanMember" order="1.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://artesianwater.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails">

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:title="SubsequentEventLineItems"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_DisclosureSubsequentEventsAbstract" xlink:label="DisclosureSubsequentEventsAbstract" xlink:title="DisclosureSubsequentEventsAbstract"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="DisclosureSubsequentEventsAbstract" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to DisclosureSubsequentEventsAbstract" order="1.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_NumberOfCustomers" xlink:label="NumberOfCustomers" xlink:title="NumberOfCustomers"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfCustomers" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to NumberOfCustomers" order="3.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTable"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to SubsequentEventTable" order="4.0" t1:closed="true" t1:contextElement="segment"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to SubsequentEventTypeAxis" order="1.0"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="2.0"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_2" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>

<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="artna-20191231.xsd#artna_FrankfordMember" xlink:label="FrankfordMember" xlink:title="FrankfordMember"/>

<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="FrankfordMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to FrankfordMember" order="1.0"/>

</link:definitionLink>

</link:linkbase>

8 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 3/18/24  Artesian Resources Corp.          10-K       12/31/23   81:12M
 5/19/23  Artesian Resources Corp.          424B5                  2:422K                                   Toppan Merrill/FA
 5/18/23  Artesian Resources Corp.          424B5                  1:423K                                   Toppan Merrill/FA
 3/10/23  Artesian Resources Corp.          10-K       12/31/22   78:12M
 9/29/22  Artesian Resources Corp.          S-3/A                  2:255K
 8/12/22  Artesian Resources Corp.          S-3                    4:287K
 3/11/22  Artesian Resources Corp.          10-K       12/31/21   76:11M
 3/12/21  Artesian Resources Corp.          10-K       12/31/20   77:11M

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Filing Submission 0000863110-20-000009 – Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)

Artesian Resources Corp – ‘10-K’ for 12/31/19 – ‘EX-101.DEF’

On: Friday, 3/13/20, at 12:27pm ET · For: 12/31/19 · Accession #: 863110-20-9 · File #: 0-18516

Annual Report — Form 10-K — Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34Filing Table of Contents

‘EX-101.DEF’ — XBRL Definitions — artna-20191231_def

This Exhibit is an XBRL XML File.

8 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

Annual Report — Form 10-K — Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34
Filing Table of Contents