SAN DIMAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2006--Effective November 7, 2006, American States Water Company ("AWR") (NYSE:AWR) elected Gary F. King as a Class II director of the Company to serve until the Company's annual meeting in 2008 or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Mr. King (age 59) was also elected as a director of two of the Company's subsidiaries, Golden State Water Company and Chaparral City Water Company.

"Mr. King has very strong financial credentials, combined with in-depth knowledge of regulated and unregulated utility operations," said Lloyd E. Ross, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "We are delighted to have him join the Board of Directors of the Company."

Mr. King retired as a senior audit partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2005, after 27 years of service with the firm. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from the University of Michigan.

American States Water Company is the parent of Golden State Water Company, American States Utility Services, Inc. and Chaparral City Water Company. Through its subsidiaries, AWR provides water service to 1 out of 30 Californians located within 75 communities throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California (approximately 254,000 customers) and to approximately 13,000 customers in the city of Fountain Hills, Arizona and a small portion of Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company also distributes electricity to approximately 23,000 customers in the Big Bear recreational area of California. Through its non-regulated subsidiary, American States Utility Services, the Company contracts with various municipalities, the U.S. government and private entities to provide various services, including billing and meter reading, water marketing and operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.

CONTACT: American States Water Company
Robert J. Sprowls, 909-394-3600, ext. 647
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary
SOURCE: American States Water Company