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


Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 30, 2008


AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (909) 394-3600

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing requirement of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 14a-12)
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management

          The Board of Directors of American States Water Company announced that on November 1, 2008, Eva G. Tang succeeded Robert J. Sprowls as Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of American States Water Company and Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of its principal subsidiary, Golden State Water Company.  Mr. Sprowls will continue as Executive Vice President of the Company and Golden State Water Company until he becomes President and Chief Executive Officer of both companies on January 1, 2009.

          Ms. Tang has served as Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Golden State Water Company since October 2002 and Assistant Secretary of American States Water Company since May 20, 2008.  She is 53 years old.

          In her new position, Ms. Tang will be entitled to a base salary of $260,000 per year.  She was also awarded 184 stock options with an exercise price of $32.93 and 37 restricted stock units.

          There is no arrangement or understanding between Ms. Tang and any other person pursuant to which she was appointed as Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, and Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Golden State Water Company.  There is no family relationship between Ms. Tang and any other executive officer, employee or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  There has been no transaction since January 1, 2008, or any currently proposed transaction, involving the Company in which Ms Tang has a material interest or any other business relationship or transaction between the Company and Ms. Tang involving an amount exceeding $120,000.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

SIGNATURES

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

Exhibit 99.1

American States Water Company Announces Appointment of Eva G. Tang as Chief Financial Officer

SAN DIMAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 3, 2008--American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR) announced the appointment of Eva G. Tang, Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of its principal subsidiary, Golden State Water Company, as Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of the Company and Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Golden State Water Company, to succeed Robert J. Sprowls. Ms. Tang’s appointment was effective November 1, 2008 and Mr. Sprowls will continue as Executive Vice President of the Company until he assumes his new position as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company on January 1, 2009.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Wicks, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, “Eva and Bob have worked closely together for the past several years on the Company’s financial reporting, business planning and analysis, risk management, strategic planning and investment strategy and have in-depth knowledge of the Company and the utility regulatory environment. I am highly confident in Eva’s ability to assume the responsibilities of the chief financial officer position and that the Company’s management team led by Bob will provide strong and effective leadership of the Company following my retirement at the end of the year.”

About Eva G. Tang. Ms. Tang has been with the Company since August of 1996 and has served as Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Golden State Water Company since October 2002. She has also served as Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of each of the Company’s other subsidiaries. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Marketing, from National Cheng-Chi University in Taiwan, and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (“UCLA”) Graduate School of Management, with a concentration in Finance.

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 37 Californians located within 75 communities throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California (approximately 255,000 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 the U.S. government and private entities to provide various services, including water marketing and operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems at a number of military bases throughout the United States.

CONTACT:
American States Water Company
Robert J. Sprowls
Executive Vice President
(909) 394-3600 extension 647