SAN DIMAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2005--The Board of Directors of American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR) approved a quarterly dividend of $0.225 per share on the Common Shares of the Company. This action marks the 276th consecutive dividend payment and the 51st year American States Water Company shareholders have received an aggregate annual increase in their dividends.

Dividends on the Common Shares will be payable on June 1, 2005 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 10, 2005.

American States Water Company will release its first quarter results on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, followed by a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT), during which management will be making a brief presentation focusing on the company's results, strategies, and operating trends.

Interested parties can listen to the live conference call over the Internet by logging onto www.aswater.com. The call will also be recorded and replayed beginning Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. PT and will run through Tuesday, May 17, 2005. The dial-in number for the audio replay is (888) 203-1112, Confirmation Code 2039242.

American States Water Company is the parent of Southern California 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 and to approximately 12,000 customers in the city of Fountain Hills, Arizona and portions of Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company also distributes electricity to approximately 22,000 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

SOURCE: American States Water Company